Eugene Ashley , Jr . Eugene Ashley , Jr . ( October 12 , 1930 or 1931 – February 7 , 1968 ) was a United States Army Special Forces soldier and a recipient of America ' s highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in the Vietnam War . Biography . Sgt . Ashley was born in Wilmington , NC on October 12 , 1931 , to Eugene Ashley Sr . and Cornelia Ashley he had a sister named Gertrude Ashley . Not long after his birth , his family moved to New York City where Eugene , Jr . attended Alexander Hamilton High School . Ashley joined the Army from New York City in December 1950 and served in the Korean War . By February 6 , 1968 , he was serving as a sergeant first class in Company C of the 5th Special Forces Group ( Airborne ) , 1st Special Forces in Vietnam . On that day , Ashley led an assault force in an attempt to rescue American troops trapped by North Vietnam ese infantry and tank s during the Battle of Lang Vei . He led several assaults against the enemy and was mortally wounded in his fifth and last attempt to reach the American forces . He was subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle . Eugene Ashley ' s body was returned to the United States and buried in Rockfish Memorial Park , Fayetteville , North Carolina . Eugene Ashley High School in Wilmington , North Carolina was named after him . Medal of Honor citation . Sergeant Ashley ' s Medal was posthumously awarded to his family at the White House by Vice President Spiro T . Agnew on December 2 , 1969 . His official Medal of Honor citation reads : Sfc . Ashley , distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Detachment A - 101 , Company C . Sfc . Ashley was the senior special forces Advisor of a hastily organized assault force whose mission was to rescue entrapped U . S . special forces advisors at Camp Lang Vei . During the initial attack on the special forces camp by North Vietnamese army forces , Sfc . Ashley supported the camp with high explosive and illumination mortar rounds . When communications were lost with the main camp , he assumed the additional responsibility of directing air strikes and artillery support . Sfc . Ashley organized and equipped a small assault force composed of local friendly personnel . During the ensuing battle , Sfc . Ashley led a total of 5 vigorous assaults against the enemy , continuously exposing himself to a voluminous hail of enemy grenades , machine gun and automatic weapons fire . Throughout these assaults , he was plagued by numerous booby - trapped satchel charges in all bunkers on his avenue of approach . During his fifth and final assault , he adjusted air strikes nearly on top of his assault element , forcing the enemy to withdraw and resulting in friendly control of the summit of the hill . While exposing himself to intense enemy fire , he was seriously wounded by machine gun fire but continued his mission without regard for his personal safety . After the fifth assault he lost consciousness and was carried from the summit by his comrades only to suffer a fatal wound when an enemy artillery round landed in the area . Sfc . Ashley displayed extraordinary heroism in risking his life in an attempt to save the lives of his entrapped comrades and commanding officer . His total disregard for his personal safety while exposed to enemy observation and automatic weapons fire was an inspiration to all men committed to the assault . The resolute valor with which he led 5 gallant charges placed critical diversionary pressure on the attacking enemy and his valiant efforts carved a channel in the overpowering enemy forces and weapons positions through which the survivors of Camp Lang Vei eventually escaped to freedom . Sfc . Ashley ' s bravery at the cost of his life was in the highest traditions of the military service , and reflects great credit upon himself , his unit , and the U . S . Army .