COL Brian H. Cundiff

COL Brian H. Cundiff.jpg

Title

COL Brian H. Cundiff

Subject

COL Brian H. Cundiff

Description

No one was left untouched by the Vietnam War. The St. Norbert commissionees served and contributed during repetitive tours of duty, again with unequaled dedication and heroism. As a captain, Brain Cundiff ’61 won the nation’s second highest award for heroism, the Distinguished Service Cross while commanding an infantry company in the 1st Infantry Division.

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Brian H. Cundiff (ASN: 0-94378), United States 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 C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.

Captain Cundiff distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 April 1967 while serving as company commander during an attack by a numerically superior Viet Cong force near Ap Gu. At 0500 hours the Viet Cong began a barrage of 400 mortar rounds on Captain Cundiff's company. As the devastating shelling decreased, the insurgents launched a ferocious human wave attack which outnumbered the American battalion three to one. Wave after wave of insurgents penetrated the battalion with mortars, machine gun and rifle fire.

Captain Cundiff, unrelenting to the overwhelming firepower of the enemy, engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat, killing six Viet Cong. Although he was wounded three times, he continued to fight and rally his force. He moved among his men and mustered and effective defense which finally succeeded in repelling the enemy. Still refusing medical aid, Captain Cundiff called for artillery support and air strikes, then commanded a massive counterattack that pushed the Viet Cong back into a barrage of artillery and deadly air strikes.

Captain Cundiff's inspiring leadership and dauntless courage were an inspiration to his men and led to one of the most decisive actions of the Viet Cong conflict. Captain Cundiff's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2395 (May 25, 1967)

Action Date: 1-Apr-67

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Company: Company C

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 26th Infantry Regiment

Division: 1st Infantry Division

Creator

Kelly Levenhagen

Source

SNC ROTC
Military Times Hall of Valor
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=5346

Publisher

Military Times

Date

May 6, 2012

Contributor

[no text]

Rights

SNC ROTC
Military Times

Relation

[no text]

Format

Image

Language

English

Type

Image

Identifier

[no text]

Coverage

[no text]

Birth Date

[no text]

Birthplace

Wisconsin

Death Date

[no text]

Occupation

US Military Colonel

Biographical Text

See Description

Bibliography

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