Brian Miles Thacker
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

First Lieutenant Brian Miles Thacker is a former U.S. Army officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Vietnam War.

Brian Miles Thacker was born on 25 April 1945 in Columbus, OH. He joined the Army from Salt Lake City, UT in 1969. On 31 March 1971, Thacker was serving as a First Lieutenant in Battery A of 1st Battalion, 92nd Field Artillery Regiment. Thacker's base in Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, was attacked by North Vietnamese Army forces that day. He assisted in the defense of the base and, when evacuation became necessary, he stayed behind to cover the retreat. Trapped behind enemy lines, Thacker was able to evade capture until being rescued by friendly forces eight days later.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 92d Artillery.

Place and date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 31 March 1971.

Entered service at: Salt Lake City, UT. Born: 25 April 1945, Columbus, OH.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Thacker, Field Artillery, Battery A, distinguished himself while serving as the team leader of an Integrated Observation System collocated with elements of 2 Army of the Republic of Vietnam units at Fire Base 6. A numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force launched a well-planned, dawn attack on the small, isolated, hilltop fire base. Employing rockets, grenades, flame-throwers, and automatic weapons, the enemy forces penetrated the perimeter defenses and engaged the defenders in hand-to-hand combat. Throughout the morning and early afternoon, 1st Lt. Thacker rallied and encouraged the U.S. and Republic of Vietnam soldiers in heroic efforts to repulse the enemy. He occupied a dangerously exposed observation position for a period of 4 hours while directing friendly air strikes and artillery fire against the assaulting enemy forces. His personal bravery and inspired leadership enabled the outnumbered friendly forces to inflict a maximum of casualties on the attacking enemy forces and prevented the base from being overrun. By late afternoon, the situation had become untenable. 1st Lt. Thacker organized and directed the withdrawal of the remaining friendly forces. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he remained inside the perimeter alone to provide covering fire with his M-16 rifle until all other friendly forces had escaped from the besieged fire base. Then, in an act of supreme courage, he called for friendly artillery fire on his own position to allow his comrades more time to withdraw safely from the area and, at the same time, inflict even greater casualties on the enemy forces. Although wounded and unable to escape from the area himself, he successfully eluded the enemy forces for 8 days until friendly forces regained control of the fire base. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by 1st Lt. Thacker were an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the military service.