Bruce Alan Grandstaff Bruce Alan Grandstaff ( June 2 , 1934 – May 18 , 1967 ) 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 . Grandstaff joined the Army from his birth city of Spokane , Washington in 1954 , and by May 18 , 1967 was a Sergeant First Class serving as a platoon sergeant in Company B , 1st Battalion , 8th Infantry Regiment , 4th Infantry Division . During a firefight on that day , in Pleiku Province , Republic of Vietnam , Grandstaff showed conspicuous leadership before being fatally wounded . Grandstaff , aged 32 at his death , was buried at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in his hometown of Spokane , Washington . Medal of Honor citation . Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty . P / Sgt . Grandstaff distinguished himself while leading the Weapons Platoon , Company B , on a reconnaissance mission near the Cambodia n border . His platoon was advancing through intermittent enemy contact when it was struck by heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from 3 sides . As he established a defensive perimeter , P / Sgt . Grandstaff noted that several of his men had been struck down . He raced 30 meters through the intense fire to aid them but could only save 1 . Denied freedom to maneuver his unit by the intensity of the enemy onslaught , he adjusted artillery to within 45 meters of his position . When helicopter gunship s arrived , he crawled outside the defensive position to mark the location with smoke grenade s . Realizing his first marker was probably ineffective , he crawled to another location and threw his last smoke grenade but the smoke did not penetrate the jungle foliage . Seriously wounded in the leg during this effort he returned to his radio and , refusing medical aid , adjusted the artillery even closer as the enemy advanced on his position . Recognizing the need for additional firepower , he again braved the enemy fusillade , crawled to the edge of his position and fired several magazines of tracer ammunition through the jungle canopy . He succeeded in designating the location to the gunships but this action again drew the enemy fire and he was wounded in the other leg . Now enduring intense pain and bleeding profusely , he crawled to within 10 meters of an enemy machine gun which had caused many casualties among his men . He destroyed the position with hand grenade s but received additional wounds . Rallying his remaining men to withstand the enemy assaults , he realized his position was being overrun and asked for artillery directly on his location . He fought until mortally wounded by an enemy rocket . Although every man in the platoon was a casualty , survivors attest to the indomitable spirit and exceptional courage of this outstanding combat leader who inspired his men to fight courageously against overwhelming odds and cost the enemy heavy casualties . P / Sgt . Grandstaff ' s selfless gallantry , above and beyond the call of duty , are in the highest traditions of the U . S . Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country .