Courage on the Battlefield
The Vietnam War was a landscape of intense confrontations, marked by fierce skirmishes at various firebases where U.S. troops clashed with the North Vietnamese Army.
One of the most notable battles occurred at Firebase Maureen, a strategic outpost near the treacherous A Shau Valley, where two extraordinary soldiers earned the Medal of Honor for their gallantry.
Born on January 21, 1950, Kenneth David hailed from Girard, Ohio.
His journey to honor began in the Boy Scouts, where he rose to the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout before being drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1969.
After rigorous training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Fort Polk, Louisiana, he joined D Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, arriving in Vietnam in January 1970.
On May 6, 1970, Private First Class David was part of a 20-man platoon tasked with securing Firebase Maureen under Operation Texas Star.
This mission aimed to liberate territory stretching from Quang Tri to Thua Thien with the support of the 101st Airborne and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam’s 1st Division.
Bravery Amid Chaos
Firebase Maureen, approximately 20 miles southwest of Hue, was notorious as a stronghold for the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN).
Foreseeing the potential for conflict, U.S. forces conducted reconnaissance and set up a temporary camp, unaware that around 1,000 enemy infantry and 300 sappers were preparing a counter-attack nearby.
Tragedy struck on May 7 when the platoon leader was killed almost immediately, followed by an unexpected assault from the PAVN that left many troops injured or dead in the opening moments.
In the heat of battle, David felt an urgent need to aid his comrades.
He handed over the radio to the platoon sergeant, grabbed his rifle, and gathered ammunition and grenades to join the fray.
As chaos enveloped the battlefield, Kenneth Kays, a dedicated medical corpsman born on September 23, 1949, in Mount Vernon, Illinois, was attempting to tend to the wounded.
Initially a conscientious objector, Kays ultimately enlisted in the Medical Corps as the military changed its policies.
On that fateful day, armed only with his medical kit, he found himself amidst heavy fire, treating injured soldiers.
Despite suffering a devastating injury that cost him his lower left leg, Kays continued to apply tourniquets and rescue fellow soldiers, saving many lives even as the battle raged on around him.
Legacy of Valor
Both David and Kays exhibited remarkable courage during the assault.
While Kays focused on administering first aid, David moved across the perimeter, engaging the enemy and drawing their fire away from fellow soldiers.
Though injured from enemy explosives, David insisted he would not back down.
As the ammunition ran low, David devised clever strategies to keep the PAVN distracted.
With evacuation helicopters finally on their way, the enemy started to retreat, sensing their impending defeat.
It was only after ensuring all wounded troops had been accounted for that David and Kays attended to their own injuries.
The clash at Firebase Maureen exacted a heavy toll on D Company: six soldiers lost their lives, while fourteen were wounded.
David expended nearly all 28 magazines he had during the fight.
In the broader context of Operation Texas Star, which lasted from April 1 to September 5, 1970, the 101st Airborne Division suffered 386 casualties, and the ARVN 1st Division faced the loss of 370 soldiers, with estimates of around 1,782 PAVN losses.
Following his service, David recuperated for five months in a Pennsylvania hospital and received an honorable discharge, achieving the rank of specialist 4th class.
His accolades included the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart.
On October 15, 1973, President Richard Nixon awarded Kays the Medal of Honor at the White House.
However, in the years that followed, Kays struggled with severe mental health issues linked to post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse.
Tragically, he took his own life on November 25, 1991, at the age of 42, and was laid to rest at Maple Hill Cemetery in Fairfield, Illinois.
David, who later settled in Youngstown, Ohio, devoted his life to advocating for fellow Vietnam veterans.
He took on a leadership role in the Girard Chapter of Disabled American Veterans Post 3767.
Reflecting on the harrowing events of May 7, 1970, he shared that he never felt alone that day, crediting divine intervention for his survival and resilience.
He considered it his mission to support others.
On January 3, 2025, President Joe Biden honored David, among seven service members, presenting him with the Medal of Honor—an upgrade to his previous decorations and the only award given to a living veteran during that ceremony.
Source: Militarytimes