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death of Staff Sergeant Ernest Wayne Gajdosik, who lost his life in Viet Nam on February 20, 1967; and __________________________ WHEREAS, This 21-year-old military man was the son of Mrs. Leslie Adams of Bay city, and lived in Matagorda County until he enlisted in the service of his country; and ______________________ WHEREAS, A short time before his death, he wrote a letter to his church, the First Christian Church of Bay City, thanking the membership for a card sent him and speaking of the hardships of the people in Viet Nam and their need for protection against the terrors of the Viet Cong; and ____________________________________ WHEREAS, He was a member of the 1st squad of the 4th Cavalry in the 1st Infantry Division; he entered the service soon after his graduation from Bay City High School, and had risen rapidly to the rank of Sergeant; in high school he was awarded the Most Valuable Player trophy during his senior year for outstanding play and leadership on the Black Cat football team; and ____________________ WHEREAS, A veteran of combat in Viet Nam since June, 1966, he held two purple hearts for wounds suffered while in action against
the Viet Cong; and
___________________________________________ wishes to pay tribute to Sergeant Ernest Wayne Gajdosik, who sacrificed his life that freedom in his country might prevail; now, therefore, be it _________________________________________________ RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Texas by this Resolution express appreciation for the life and service of Sergeant Ernest Wayne Gajdosik; and, be it further_______ RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution under the Seal of the House of Representatives be prepared for his mother, Mrs. Leslie Adams of Bay City, as an expression of sympathy to her and the other members of his family; his father, W. V. Gajdosik; his sister, Mrs. Barbara Helen Popek; and two brothers, all of Bay City._____________________________________________________
Birkner
Dorothy Hallman
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APO San Francisco 96345
GENERAL ORDERS 10 March 1967 NUMBER 1523
Reason: For heroism in connection with
military operations Gajdosik participated in numerous operations as commander of an armored assault vehicle. As he moved with his unit deep into Viet Cong infested regions, his outstanding leadership was in evidence during each hostile encounter. He deployed his men in a professional manner and directed his unit’s firepower effectively. As a result, the Viet Cong suffered severe losses of personnel and equipment. His unwavering dedication to mission caused Sergeant Gajdosik to repeatedly risk his life. During one violent encounter with a hostile force, Sergeant Gajdosik was painfully wounded, but refused medical attention. He moved to assist more seriously wounded comrades and continued to fire into the insurgent lines until the hostile force was routed. The courage and personal initiative demonstrated by Sergeant Gajdosik were of immeasurable signifi- cance to the overwhelming victories his unit achieved against the Viet Cong. Sergeant Gajdosik’s out- standing display of devotion to duty and personal bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
EDWARD B. KITCHENS, JR Colonel, GS Chief of Staff
HOWARD M. REGAN First Lieutenant, Infantry Acting Assistant Adjutant General
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GO 31 General Orders HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WASHINGTON, D. C., 14 July 1967 N. 31
I..THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITTION (ARMY). Award of the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) by the President of the United States of America to the following unit of the Armed Forces of the United States is confirmed in accordance with paragraph 194, AR 672-5-1. The text of the citation, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson 19 May 1967, reads as follows: By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States I have today awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for extraordinary heroism, to:
THE 1ST SQUADRON, 4TH CAVALRY, 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
The 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against hostile forces in Binh Long Province, Republic of Vietnam during the period June to July 1966. On 8 June 1966, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry was moving north along Highway 13 to the vicinity of An Loc to conduct area reconnaissance and offensive operations. The lead tank was hit by a command detonated mine which was the signal for three Viet Cong battalions to open a full-scale attack from both sides of the road. The three Viet Cong battalions occupied defensive fortifications and were heavily equipped with recoilless rifles, automatic weapons and a variety of small arms. Troop A immediately closed with insurgent force in a fierce assault. Maneuver room as limited due to marshy terrain on either side of the highway. Continuous, multi-direction assaults were attempted by the desperate insurgent forces, but in each case they were halted by accurate tank automatic, and individual weapons fire. With an indomitable fighting spirit, continuous fire and movement was used to steadily close on the insurgent forces. The courageous fighting of the cavalrymen routed the Viet Cong from their emplacements. The gallant actions of Troop A in this six-hour battle was an eminent success. In addition, the armed helicopters of Troop D, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, the supporting artillery, and Air Force fighter aircraft contributed immeasurably to the success of the battle by bringing devastating fire on the Viet Cong. The actions resulted in a count of 105 insurgents killed and a large number of Viet Cong weapons captured. On the morning of 30 June 1966, Troops B and C were conducting armed reconnaissance north of An Loc on Highway 13, when they were struck by a Viet Cong regiment. The insurgent forces poured a volume of mortar, recoilless rifle and automatic weapons fire into the column from the front and two sides. Fire was immediately returned by the Squadron, engaging the Viet Cong at point-blank range. The insurgents, concealed next to the road, made repeated attempts to overrun the Squadron by use of hand grenades at close range, point-blank firing, and fanatical assaults. Maneuver by the cavalrymen was again severely hampered by dense brush and marshy soil and they were forced to conduct their fight from extremely vulnerable positions. Although four platoon leaders were killed or wounded in the first hour, the gallant stand of the cavalrymen resulted in total defeat of the hostile force, whose scattered survivors fled from the battlefield. On the morning of 9 July, the Squadron's B, C, and D troops deployed southwest of An Loc to lure the insurgents into contact. The reinforced Viet Cong regiment, again covered in the heavy growth along the road, launched a powerful attack under the cover of intense mortar, small arms, automatic weapons, and grenades and .50 caliber machinegun fire. The intensity of the three-hour fight equaled the two earlier and long engagements. The lack of proximate landing zones for the infantry delayed the planned reinforcement and required the Squadron to bear the entire force of the immediately responsive and continuous support by air and artillery, ironically stood their ground and broke the Viet on attack. The determination displayed by the 1st Squadron, 4th United States Cavalry during the three decisive battles of operation El Paso II resulted in significant victories. The Squadron's indomitable courage resulted in 712 confirmed hostile dead, and estimated 850 additional killed, and large quantities of captured weapons and equipment. The conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroism of the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon all who participated in these significant battles.
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(Extract, DAGO 20, 25 Apr 67)
II...VALOROUS UNITE AWARD. 1. By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of paragraph 202.1. AR 672-5-1, the Valorous Unit Award is awarded the following units of the United States Army for extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations during the period indicated.
The citations read as follows:
The Valorous Unit Award is awarded by direction of the Secretary of the Army to:
The 2D BATTALION, 2ND INFANTRY TASK FORCE, 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION COMPRISED OF:
HEADQUARTERS AND COMMAND GROUP, 2D BATTALION, 2D INFANTRY
COMPANY A. 2D BATTALION, 2D INFANTRY
TROOP A, 1ST SQUADRON, 4TH CAVALRY
C BATTERY, 2D BATTALION, 33D ARTILLERY
for extraordinary heroism: The 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Task Force, 1st Infantry Division is cited for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force near Ap Bau Bang, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 12 November 1965. The 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Task Force was assigned the hazardous and difficult mission of clearing and securing National Highway 13 for the passage of elements of the 5th Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. At 0605 hours, the Task Force was attacked by a numerically superior hostile force estimated to be two main force Viet Cong regiments. The Viet Cong delivered withering and accurate mortar, automatic weapons, and recoilless rifle fire on the men of the Task Force. This intense fire was accompanied by a series of hostile "human-wave" frontal attacks against the Task Force perimeter defensive positions. Initial attacks came from the south and southwest, where in the first thirty minutes of the battle, over one hundred and fifty rounds of mortar and recoilless rifle fire were absorbed by the courageous defenders. With indomitable courage, each man of the Task Force fought tenaciously as a team and destroyed each insurgent attack. On occasions when the inner perimeter was breached, it was the raw courage of the defenders that carried the day. Reinforcing the dead fires of the infantry, the artillery employed their howitzers in direct fire against the Viet Cong while the cavalry maneuvered their armored personnel carriers to employ their .50 caliber machineguns at point blank range into the ranks of the insurgents. Five air strikes controlled by the Forward Air Control Party relentlessly punished the Viet Cong. With perfect team work, three fierce hostile attacks were beaten off, imposing heavy casualties upon the north. The attack was slowed and then stopped under the onslaught of an over powering hail of infantry, cavalry and artillery firepower. By 1100 hours, the Task Force had sustained the majority of its 100 casualties and had almost exhausted its ammunition. Undaunted, the members of the Task Force drove off the superior hostile force with heavy losses and immediately began a pursuit of the fleeing Viet Cong. Continuing their mission, they quickly evacuated the dead and wounded and proceeded to clear National Highway 13 for the passage of the friendly forces. The gallant stand of the 2d Infantry Task Force resulted in the death of 198 Viet Cong, the capture of 6, and the wounding of an estimated 500. In addition, a vast quantity of equipment, weapons, and documents were captured. A numerically superior hostile force had been held at bay for six hours and subsequently driven from the field of battle with heavy losses. Highway 13 was cleared and the Republic of Vietnam forces passed through the zone without incident or casualties. The conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroism of the 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Task Force are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon all members of the units who participated in this heroic combat action.
(Extract, DAGO 20, Apr 67)
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(Extract, G046, 3 Sep 1968)
A TROOP 1ST SQUADRON, 4TH ARMORED CAVALRY
REGIMENT, 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
The citation reads as follows: Since its assignment to Vietnam in July 1965, A TROOP, 1ST SQUADRON, 4TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT, 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION has proved to be an outstanding unit which has participated in many important military operations in III Corps Tactical Zone. A TROOP 1ST SQUADRON, 4TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT was particularly outstanding during a military operation to clear National Highway 13 on 8 June 1966. The unit discovered approximately two Viet Cong Battalions lying in ambush along the highway. With strict discipline and broad combat experience, this unit gallantly encircled the enemy force, and fiercely attacked them, driving them into an exposed position. As a result, A TROOP 1ST SQUADRON, 4TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT won the following resounding victory:
By this brilliant victory, A TROOP 1ST SQUADRON, 4TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT contributed effectively to the struggle against communism in South Vietnam and, at the same time, set a high example of the gallantry of all its personnel which reflects great credit upon the United States Army.
This Meritorious Citation is to include the Gallantry Cross with Palm for A TROOP 1ST SQUADRON, 4TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT, 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION and Captain Ralph M. Sturgis, 04071394, Troop Commander.
(Extract, DAGO 46, 3 Sep 68)
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Mrs. Leslie V. Adams, the mother of the late Ernest Gajdosik who was killed in Vietnam, received an Armed Forces Honor Medal [2nd class] from Vietnam Forces Saturday from Captain Chaplain Olson. The award was for Gajdosik's performance while serving his country in Vietnam. The award goes to "Industrious servicemen who always displayed an exemplary spirit of devotion to duty, good will and close cooperation. With broad experience and great professional ability, they assisted the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces in an effective and outstanding manner, thereby bringing about excellent results." Mr. Adams looks on as his wife received the medal. The Daily Tribune,
September 25, 1967 |
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325
Viet Cong killed in action; one Viet Cong taken prisoner; two 75mm
guns, one 57mm gun, and 50 weapons of various types seized.
POSTHUMOUS
AWARD