- SURNAME
McCoy
- FORENAME
John Lowery
- UNIT
Advisory Team 43 (Airborne Ranger), MACV
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
19359302
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Vietnam, 1964
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
posthumous Silver Star
KIA - See Roll of Honour
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/mccoy-john-lowery.5455/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class John Lowery McCoy, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in Vietnam, on 26 June 1964. As an Advisor to a Ranger Battalion of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Sergeant McCoy accompanied a friendly unit on a military mission to dislodge a reinforced hostile element. As the unit advanced across an open area, it received heavy hostile gun fire from the front and was quickly pinned down. Sergeant McCoy rapidly address the situation, notified the Commander of the unit's untenable position, and advised a counterattack immediately, and exposed himself to the intense gun fire as he placed himself with the lead elements of the company in a direct attack against the insurgents. When the Vietnamese Company Commander was wounded during the ensuing battle, Sergeant McCoy again exposed himself to the enemy gun fire to assist in evacuating the wounded Commander, and then administered first aid to him. When the casualties mounted and the troops were reluctant to advance, he moved from position to position under heavy gun fire to rally the forces and to advise his counterparts. His fortitude, personal example, and courageous conduct inspired the Rangers to proceed to their objective and led to the successful accomplishment of their mission. Sergeant McCoy's conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
