BULLARD, KARL LEE
BULLARD, KARL LEE
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne
Brigade,
Date of Action: May 5, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Karl Lee
Bullard, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in
connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile
force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion
(Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. First Lieutenant Bullard
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 May 1968 as an
infantry platoon leader. A reinforced Viet Cong company launched a violent
attack on his company's position near Bong Son. Throughout the attack,
Lieutenant Bullard moved from one position to another along the perimeter,
directing the fire of his men. When the attack had been repulsed, he called for
volunteers to move outside the perimeter with him to recover a friendly squad
which was isolated, surrounded and under attack. Lieutenant Bullard was wounded
in the leg during the maneuver but refused to stop for medical treatment. When
his troops reached the squad, he directed them in laying down a base of fire to
cover the withdrawal. After insuring that all the beleaguered element's members
had returned to safety, he moved out again to rescue a second isolated squad.
Lieutenant Bullard advanced across two hundred meters of enemy controlled
terrain before he contacted the surrounded element. When he arrived, he found
that all the men in the squad had been wounded and the position was still
receiving intense fire. The enemy then mounted a massive ground assault. Several
of the Viet Cong fell at Lieutenant Bullard's feet as he directed the fire of
his men which succeeded in repulsing the attack. While returning to the company
perimeter, he personally killed two more insurgents. When the second squad had
been brought to safety, Lieutenant Bullard left the perimeter a third time to
recover a radio and machine gun which his men had been forced to leave behind.
Lieutenant Bullard was personally responsible for inflicting heavy casualties on
the enemy and for saving the lives of twelve American soldiers. First Lieutenant
Bullard's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life,
were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect
great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
HQ US
Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3765 (August 2, 1968)
Home Town: Miami, Florida
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