GIPSON, ROBERT PAUL
GIPSON, ROBERT PAUL
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne
Brigade,
Date of Action: March 16, 1966
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert
Paul Gipson, Specialist Fourth Class, 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 (Separate). Specialist Four
Gipson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 March 1966
while serving as a member in a company conducting a search and destroy operation
in the Republic of Vietnam. During the morning hours, Specialist Four Gipson's
company was attacked by a large Viet Cong force employing numerous automatic
weapons, small arms, mortars and recoilless rifles. Because of the intensity of
the battle, available ammunition supplies were rapidly expended. At this time,
Specialist Four Gipson unhesitatingly carried ammunition to the front line
platoons. Moving up and down the heavily engaged front lines, he repeatedly
exposed himself to intense hostile machine gun fire while resupplying the
platoons with vitally needed ammunition. He then made a second trip through the
bullet swept area to obtain additional ammunition, and again braved the intense
hostile fire as he returned to the front lines with it. During the course of
action, Specialist Four Gipson maneuvered to the battalion landing zone which
was under constant .30 and .50 caliber machine gun fire. With complete disregard
for his safety, he dauntlessly moved into the open while securing ammunition for
the front lines, and then took up a firing position there. In the closing hour
of the five-hour battle, he was mortally wounded by a burst of Viet Cong machine
gun fire. Specialist Four Gipson'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. 5951 (October 6, 1966)
Home Town: Athens, Georgia
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