Presentation: To His Family at the Old Executive Office Building, Washington, DC
By Vice President Spiro T. Agnew - Dec 16, 1971
Buried at: Brown Cemetery - Benton, Maine
BUKER, BRIAN L. *
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Detachment B-55, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces
Place and date: Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam, 5 April 1970
Entered service at: Bangor, Maine
Born: 3 November 1949, Benton, Maine
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Buker, Detachment B-55, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon adviser of a Vietnamese mobile strike force company during an offensive mission. Sgt. Buker personally led the platoon, cleared a strategically located well-guarded pass, and established the first foothold at the top of what had been an impenetrable mountain fortress. When the platoon came under the intense fire from a determined enemy located in 2 heavily fortified bunkers, and realizing that withdrawal would result in heavy casualties, Sgt. Buker unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, charged through the hail of enemy fire and destroyed the first bunker with hand grenades. While reorganizing his men for the second attack on the bunker. Sgt. Buker was seriously wounded. Despite his wounds and the deadly enemy fire, he crawled forward and destroyed the second bunker. Sgt. Buker refused medical attention and was reorganizing his men to continue the attack when he was mortally wounded. As a direct result of his heroic actions, many casualties were averted and the assault on the enemy position was successful. Sgt Buker's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit and the U.S. Army.
--- General / Personal ---
Last name: BUKER
First name: BRIAN LEROY
Home of Record (official): ALBION
State (official): ME
Date of Birth: Thursday, November 3, 1949
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: SGT
Serial Number: 005485496
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E5
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 05B4P
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Thursday, November 6, 1969
Date of Casualty: Sunday, April 5, 1970
Age at time of loss: 20
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Unknown/Not Reported
The Wall: Panel 12W - Row 096
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