serviceyears branch death_place death_date birth_place allegiance awards placeofburial_label battles birth_date rank article_title name
1960 -- 1965 united states navy mekong delta , south vietnam 16 march 1965 st. louis , missouri united states of america navy cross , air medal place of burial vietnam war 9 october 1937 lieutenant harold dale meyerkord
 harold dale meyerkord
harold dale meyerkord

harold dale meyerkord -lrb- 1937 -- 1965 -rrb- was a united states navy officer who received a posthumous navy cross for his actions during a battle in which he was killed during the vietnam war meyerkord was born on 9 october 1937 at st. louis , missouri .
he graduated from u.s. navy officer candidate school at newport , rhode island , on 14 june 1960 and was assigned to heavy cruiser .
meyerkord reported to the u.s. military assistance command vietnam -lrb- macv -rrb- in south vietnam on 13 july 1964 .
he was senior naval adviser to the south vietnamese 23rd river assault group , responsible for suppressing vietcong operations in south vietnam 's `` rice bowl '' during the vietnam war .
the group probed the mekong delta waterways , engaging vietcong guerrillas in operations in which lieutenant meyerkord distinguished himself for coolness , resourcefulness , and concern for his men .
while leading his assault group into vietcong‑held territory on 16 march 1965 , lieutenant meyerkord 's patrol was ambushed .
though wounded , he steadfastly returned the enemy 's fire until hit again , this time mortally .
lieutenant meyerkord 's heroism was recognized by posthumous award of the navy cross .
he was also awarded the air medal for completing 20 low-level aerial reconnaissance missions under enemy fire .
