Grateful acknowledgement to Bio contributor BarryC for the Navy Cross Citation.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel George Thomas Sargent, Jr. (MCSN: 0-51686), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 March 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent was in command of a heliborne attack against enemy positions in Quang Nam Province during Operation PURPLE MARTIN when the lead helicopter came under a heavy volume of North Vietnamese Army fire, causing it to crash in the landing zone. Directing the debarkation of the battalion at a smaller zone on the slope of a hill below the designated area, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent took command of the lead company, and after starting up the hill, the Marines encountered a hostile force occupying a well-fortified position. As he led his men in an aggressive assault against the enemy emplacements, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent observed a machine gun which was pinning down a portion of his unit. Fearlessly moving across the fire-swept terrain toward the North Vietnamese emplacement, he boldly hurled several hand grenades, which killed two hostile soldiers and destroyed the enemy weapon. Skillfully maneuvering his men, he secured the slope of the hill, and early the following morning, despite a fragmentation wound sustained during the previous day's engagement, commenced the final assault against the enemy soldiers. During the ensuing fire fight, the Marines were subjected to intense North Vietnamese mortar and small-arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent remained with the forward units, effectively controlling the actions of his men and exploiting every enemy contact to the maximum extent until he was mortally wounded. His timely actions and aggressive leadership inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel George Thomas Sargent, Jr. (MCSN: 0-51686), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 March 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent was in command of a heliborne attack against enemy positions in Quang Nam Province during Operation PURPLE MARTIN when the lead helicopter came under a heavy volume of North Vietnamese Army fire, causing it to crash in the landing zone. Directing the debarkation of the battalion at a smaller zone on the slope of a hill below the designated area, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent took command of the lead company, and after starting up the hill, the Marines encountered a hostile force occupying a well-fortified position. As he led his men in an aggressive assault against the enemy emplacements, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent observed a machine gun which was pinning down a portion of his unit. Fearlessly moving across the fire-swept terrain toward the North Vietnamese emplacement, he boldly hurled several hand grenades, which killed two hostile soldiers and destroyed the enemy weapon. Skillfully maneuvering his men, he secured the slope of the hill, and early the following morning, despite a fragmentation wound sustained during the previous day's engagement, commenced the final assault against the enemy soldiers. During the ensuing fire fight, the Marines were subjected to intense North Vietnamese mortar and small-arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent remained with the forward units, effectively controlling the actions of his men and exploiting every enemy contact to the maximum extent until he was mortally wounded. His timely actions and aggressive leadership inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Grateful acknowledgement to Bio contributor BarryC for the Navy Cross Citation.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel George Thomas Sargent, Jr. (MCSN: 0-51686), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 March 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent was in command of a heliborne attack against enemy positions in Quang Nam Province during Operation PURPLE MARTIN when the lead helicopter came under a heavy volume of North Vietnamese Army fire, causing it to crash in the landing zone. Directing the debarkation of the battalion at a smaller zone on the slope of a hill below the designated area, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent took command of the lead company, and after starting up the hill, the Marines encountered a hostile force occupying a well-fortified position. As he led his men in an aggressive assault against the enemy emplacements, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent observed a machine gun which was pinning down a portion of his unit. Fearlessly moving across the fire-swept terrain toward the North Vietnamese emplacement, he boldly hurled several hand grenades, which killed two hostile soldiers and destroyed the enemy weapon. Skillfully maneuvering his men, he secured the slope of the hill, and early the following morning, despite a fragmentation wound sustained during the previous day's engagement, commenced the final assault against the enemy soldiers. During the ensuing fire fight, the Marines were subjected to intense North Vietnamese mortar and small-arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent remained with the forward units, effectively controlling the actions of his men and exploiting every enemy contact to the maximum extent until he was mortally wounded. His timely actions and aggressive leadership inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel George Thomas Sargent, Jr. (MCSN: 0-51686), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 March 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent was in command of a heliborne attack against enemy positions in Quang Nam Province during Operation PURPLE MARTIN when the lead helicopter came under a heavy volume of North Vietnamese Army fire, causing it to crash in the landing zone. Directing the debarkation of the battalion at a smaller zone on the slope of a hill below the designated area, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent took command of the lead company, and after starting up the hill, the Marines encountered a hostile force occupying a well-fortified position. As he led his men in an aggressive assault against the enemy emplacements, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent observed a machine gun which was pinning down a portion of his unit. Fearlessly moving across the fire-swept terrain toward the North Vietnamese emplacement, he boldly hurled several hand grenades, which killed two hostile soldiers and destroyed the enemy weapon. Skillfully maneuvering his men, he secured the slope of the hill, and early the following morning, despite a fragmentation wound sustained during the previous day's engagement, commenced the final assault against the enemy soldiers. During the ensuing fire fight, the Marines were subjected to intense North Vietnamese mortar and small-arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent remained with the forward units, effectively controlling the actions of his men and exploiting every enemy contact to the maximum extent until he was mortally wounded. His timely actions and aggressive leadership inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Sargent upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Gravesite Details
USMC, killed in action in Viet Nam. See: Fight for Hill 1154
Family Members
Spouse
