"Where do we find men like these?" (President Ronald Wilson Reagan)
Jesse L. Yearta, 61, decorated Army veteran
A 32-year Army veteran, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse L. Yearta was a highly decorated soldier and a prisoner of war who escaped from his Communist captors in Vietnam after three years in a bamboo cage.
Mr. Yearta, 61, of Hogansville, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in an auto accident in Alabama.
While held by the Viet Cong, Mr. Yearta and his comrades were able to concoct an explosive powder that helped free them.
"Jesse and three other prisoners made their escape, running and swimming as far and fast as they could," said his wife, Gloria Yearta. "But the Viet Cong pursued relentlessly with bloodhounds and two of them did not make it."
During the Vietnam War, Mr. Yearta fought in the Battle of An Loc near Saigon. "Jesse and his comrades were surrounded by the North Vietnamese artillery and infantry for nearly 90 days," his wife said.
During his career, he served in the infantry, an armored battalion, an intelligence group, an airborne and a Ranger company. He was trained at Fort Benning and fought in the Korean War.
His awards included the Distinguished Service Cross, eight Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. He retired in 1983 while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
After retiring, he taught college courses in criminal justice. He moved to Hogansville five years ago.
Mr. Yearta entertained children at Scottish Rite and Egleston children's hospitals as a member of the Red Devil Clown Unit of Yaarab Shrine Temple in Atlanta.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the chapel of Claude A. McKibben & Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville. Burial will be with full military honors at Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Meriwether County.
Other survivors include three daughters, Kathy Brawner of LaGrange, Karen Newton and Penny Willingham, both of Hogansville; a son, Kenny Yearta of LaGrange; a stepdaughter, Melissa Greene of Dahlonega; two sisters, Ruth Jones of Greenville, S.C., and Betty Jo Cape of Simpsonville, S.C.; a brother, Douglas Yearta of Hogansville; and eight grandchildren.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, MACV Support Command General Orders No. 2440 (October 17, 1972)
Action Date: April 20 - May 20, 1972
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Company: 81st Ranger Group
Regiment: Airborne Division Assistance Team
Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Distinguished Service Cross
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 Sergeant First Class Jesse L. Yearta, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant First Class Jessie L. Yearta distinguished himself while serving as an advisor to the 81st Ranger Group, Army of the Republic of Vietnam during the period 20 April 1972 to 20 May 1972. The 81st Ranger Group was given the mission of retaking a northern sector of the besieged provincial capital of An Loc, held by enemy forces. Sergeant Yearta constantly exposed himself to the enemy fire and directed airstrikes and other supporting fires as the battalion quickly regained control of a portion of the area. During this period, he infiltrated into enemy held areas of the city and directed highly successful airstrikes on the enemy positions around him and was repeatedly subjected to indirect and small arms fire. On three other occasions, as the enemy attempted regimental-size attacks supported by tanks and artillery in an attempt to overrun the friendly positions, Sergeant Yearta again exposed himself, at great personal risk, from rooftops and forward positions to adjust airstrikes and successfully thwart the enemy's attempts. The courage and determination he instilled in the Vietnamese forces by his personal example was crucial in the successful completion of their mission. Sergeant First Class Yearta's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.
Jesse L. Yearta, 61, decorated Army veteran
A 32-year Army veteran, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse L. Yearta was a highly decorated soldier and a prisoner of war who escaped from his Communist captors in Vietnam after three years in a bamboo cage.
Mr. Yearta, 61, of Hogansville, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in an auto accident in Alabama.
While held by the Viet Cong, Mr. Yearta and his comrades were able to concoct an explosive powder that helped free them.
"Jesse and three other prisoners made their escape, running and swimming as far and fast as they could," said his wife, Gloria Yearta. "But the Viet Cong pursued relentlessly with bloodhounds and two of them did not make it."
During the Vietnam War, Mr. Yearta fought in the Battle of An Loc near Saigon. "Jesse and his comrades were surrounded by the North Vietnamese artillery and infantry for nearly 90 days," his wife said.
During his career, he served in the infantry, an armored battalion, an intelligence group, an airborne and a Ranger company. He was trained at Fort Benning and fought in the Korean War.
His awards included the Distinguished Service Cross, eight Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. He retired in 1983 while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
After retiring, he taught college courses in criminal justice. He moved to Hogansville five years ago.
Mr. Yearta entertained children at Scottish Rite and Egleston children's hospitals as a member of the Red Devil Clown Unit of Yaarab Shrine Temple in Atlanta.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the chapel of Claude A. McKibben & Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville. Burial will be with full military honors at Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Meriwether County.
Other survivors include three daughters, Kathy Brawner of LaGrange, Karen Newton and Penny Willingham, both of Hogansville; a son, Kenny Yearta of LaGrange; a stepdaughter, Melissa Greene of Dahlonega; two sisters, Ruth Jones of Greenville, S.C., and Betty Jo Cape of Simpsonville, S.C.; a brother, Douglas Yearta of Hogansville; and eight grandchildren.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, MACV Support Command General Orders No. 2440 (October 17, 1972)
Action Date: April 20 - May 20, 1972
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Company: 81st Ranger Group
Regiment: Airborne Division Assistance Team
Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Distinguished Service Cross
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 Sergeant First Class Jesse L. Yearta, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant First Class Jessie L. Yearta distinguished himself while serving as an advisor to the 81st Ranger Group, Army of the Republic of Vietnam during the period 20 April 1972 to 20 May 1972. The 81st Ranger Group was given the mission of retaking a northern sector of the besieged provincial capital of An Loc, held by enemy forces. Sergeant Yearta constantly exposed himself to the enemy fire and directed airstrikes and other supporting fires as the battalion quickly regained control of a portion of the area. During this period, he infiltrated into enemy held areas of the city and directed highly successful airstrikes on the enemy positions around him and was repeatedly subjected to indirect and small arms fire. On three other occasions, as the enemy attempted regimental-size attacks supported by tanks and artillery in an attempt to overrun the friendly positions, Sergeant Yearta again exposed himself, at great personal risk, from rooftops and forward positions to adjust airstrikes and successfully thwart the enemy's attempts. The courage and determination he instilled in the Vietnamese forces by his personal example was crucial in the successful completion of their mission. Sergeant First Class Yearta's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.
"Where do we find men like these?" (President Ronald Wilson Reagan)
Jesse L. Yearta, 61, decorated Army veteran
A 32-year Army veteran, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse L. Yearta was a highly decorated soldier and a prisoner of war who escaped from his Communist captors in Vietnam after three years in a bamboo cage.
Mr. Yearta, 61, of Hogansville, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in an auto accident in Alabama.
While held by the Viet Cong, Mr. Yearta and his comrades were able to concoct an explosive powder that helped free them.
"Jesse and three other prisoners made their escape, running and swimming as far and fast as they could," said his wife, Gloria Yearta. "But the Viet Cong pursued relentlessly with bloodhounds and two of them did not make it."
During the Vietnam War, Mr. Yearta fought in the Battle of An Loc near Saigon. "Jesse and his comrades were surrounded by the North Vietnamese artillery and infantry for nearly 90 days," his wife said.
During his career, he served in the infantry, an armored battalion, an intelligence group, an airborne and a Ranger company. He was trained at Fort Benning and fought in the Korean War.
His awards included the Distinguished Service Cross, eight Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. He retired in 1983 while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
After retiring, he taught college courses in criminal justice. He moved to Hogansville five years ago.
Mr. Yearta entertained children at Scottish Rite and Egleston children's hospitals as a member of the Red Devil Clown Unit of Yaarab Shrine Temple in Atlanta.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the chapel of Claude A. McKibben & Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville. Burial will be with full military honors at Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Meriwether County.
Other survivors include three daughters, Kathy Brawner of LaGrange, Karen Newton and Penny Willingham, both of Hogansville; a son, Kenny Yearta of LaGrange; a stepdaughter, Melissa Greene of Dahlonega; two sisters, Ruth Jones of Greenville, S.C., and Betty Jo Cape of Simpsonville, S.C.; a brother, Douglas Yearta of Hogansville; and eight grandchildren.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, MACV Support Command General Orders No. 2440 (October 17, 1972)
Action Date: April 20 - May 20, 1972
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Company: 81st Ranger Group
Regiment: Airborne Division Assistance Team
Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Distinguished Service Cross
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 Sergeant First Class Jesse L. Yearta, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant First Class Jessie L. Yearta distinguished himself while serving as an advisor to the 81st Ranger Group, Army of the Republic of Vietnam during the period 20 April 1972 to 20 May 1972. The 81st Ranger Group was given the mission of retaking a northern sector of the besieged provincial capital of An Loc, held by enemy forces. Sergeant Yearta constantly exposed himself to the enemy fire and directed airstrikes and other supporting fires as the battalion quickly regained control of a portion of the area. During this period, he infiltrated into enemy held areas of the city and directed highly successful airstrikes on the enemy positions around him and was repeatedly subjected to indirect and small arms fire. On three other occasions, as the enemy attempted regimental-size attacks supported by tanks and artillery in an attempt to overrun the friendly positions, Sergeant Yearta again exposed himself, at great personal risk, from rooftops and forward positions to adjust airstrikes and successfully thwart the enemy's attempts. The courage and determination he instilled in the Vietnamese forces by his personal example was crucial in the successful completion of their mission. Sergeant First Class Yearta's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.
Jesse L. Yearta, 61, decorated Army veteran
A 32-year Army veteran, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse L. Yearta was a highly decorated soldier and a prisoner of war who escaped from his Communist captors in Vietnam after three years in a bamboo cage.
Mr. Yearta, 61, of Hogansville, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in an auto accident in Alabama.
While held by the Viet Cong, Mr. Yearta and his comrades were able to concoct an explosive powder that helped free them.
"Jesse and three other prisoners made their escape, running and swimming as far and fast as they could," said his wife, Gloria Yearta. "But the Viet Cong pursued relentlessly with bloodhounds and two of them did not make it."
During the Vietnam War, Mr. Yearta fought in the Battle of An Loc near Saigon. "Jesse and his comrades were surrounded by the North Vietnamese artillery and infantry for nearly 90 days," his wife said.
During his career, he served in the infantry, an armored battalion, an intelligence group, an airborne and a Ranger company. He was trained at Fort Benning and fought in the Korean War.
His awards included the Distinguished Service Cross, eight Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. He retired in 1983 while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
After retiring, he taught college courses in criminal justice. He moved to Hogansville five years ago.
Mr. Yearta entertained children at Scottish Rite and Egleston children's hospitals as a member of the Red Devil Clown Unit of Yaarab Shrine Temple in Atlanta.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the chapel of Claude A. McKibben & Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville. Burial will be with full military honors at Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Meriwether County.
Other survivors include three daughters, Kathy Brawner of LaGrange, Karen Newton and Penny Willingham, both of Hogansville; a son, Kenny Yearta of LaGrange; a stepdaughter, Melissa Greene of Dahlonega; two sisters, Ruth Jones of Greenville, S.C., and Betty Jo Cape of Simpsonville, S.C.; a brother, Douglas Yearta of Hogansville; and eight grandchildren.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, MACV Support Command General Orders No. 2440 (October 17, 1972)
Action Date: April 20 - May 20, 1972
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Company: 81st Ranger Group
Regiment: Airborne Division Assistance Team
Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Distinguished Service Cross
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 Sergeant First Class Jesse L. Yearta, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant First Class Jessie L. Yearta distinguished himself while serving as an advisor to the 81st Ranger Group, Army of the Republic of Vietnam during the period 20 April 1972 to 20 May 1972. The 81st Ranger Group was given the mission of retaking a northern sector of the besieged provincial capital of An Loc, held by enemy forces. Sergeant Yearta constantly exposed himself to the enemy fire and directed airstrikes and other supporting fires as the battalion quickly regained control of a portion of the area. During this period, he infiltrated into enemy held areas of the city and directed highly successful airstrikes on the enemy positions around him and was repeatedly subjected to indirect and small arms fire. On three other occasions, as the enemy attempted regimental-size attacks supported by tanks and artillery in an attempt to overrun the friendly positions, Sergeant Yearta again exposed himself, at great personal risk, from rooftops and forward positions to adjust airstrikes and successfully thwart the enemy's attempts. The courage and determination he instilled in the Vietnamese forces by his personal example was crucial in the successful completion of their mission. Sergeant First Class Yearta's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
