John G . Gertsch John Gary Gertsch ( September 29 , 1944 or 1945 – July 19 , 1969 ) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in the Vietnam War . Biography . John G . Gertsch went to high school in Sheffield Area Middle / Senior High School ( SAMSHS ) in Sheffield , Pennsylvania . Gertsch joined the Army from Buffalo , New York in 1965 , and by July 15 , 1969 was serving as a Staff Sergeant in Company E , 1st Battalion , 327th Infantry Regiment , 101st Airborne Division . During a series of engagements on that day and the four following days , in the A Shau Valley of the Republic of Vietnam , Gertsch commanded his platoon after their leader was wounded and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers and attack the enemy . Mortally wounded on July 19 , he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in September 1974 . Gertsch , aged 23 or 24 at his death , was buried in North Side Catholic Cemetery , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . Medal of Honor citation . Staff Sergeant Gertsch ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : S / Sgt . Gertsch distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant and platoon leader during combat operations in the A Shau Valley . During the initial phase of an operation to seize a strongly defended enemy position , S / Sgt . Gertsch ' s platoon leader was seriously wounded and lay exposed to intense enemy fire . Forsaking his own safety , without hesitation S / Sgt . Gertsch rushed to aid his fallen leader and dragged him to a sheltered position . He then assumed command of the heavily engaged platoon and led his men in a fierce counterattack that forced the enemy to withdraw . Later , a small element of S / Sgt . Gertsch ' s unit was reconnoitering when attacked again by the enemy . S / Sgt . Gertsch moved forward to his besieged element and immediately charged , firing as he advanced . His determined assault forced the enemy troops to withdraw in confusion and made possible the recovery of 2 wounded men who had been exposed to heavy enemy fire . Sometime later his platoon came under attack by an enemy force employing automatic weapons , grenade , and rocket fire . S / Sgt . Gertsch was severely wounded during the onslaught but continued to command his platoon despite his painful wound . While moving under fire and encouraging his men he sighted an aidman treating a wounded officer from an adjacent unit . Realizing that both men were in imminent danger of being killed , he rushed forward and positioned himself between them and the enemy nearby . While the wounded officer was being moved to safety S / Sgt . Gertsch was mortally wounded by enemy fire . Without S / Sgt . Gertsch ' s courage , ability to inspire others , and profound concern for the welfare of his men , the loss of life among his fellow soldiers would have been significantly greater . His conspicuous gallantry , extraordinary heroism , and intrepidity at the cost of his life , above and beyond the call of duty , are in the highest traditions of the U . S . Army and reflect great credit on him and the Armed Forces of his country .