Henry Cecil Lee
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Henry Cecil Lee was born on 26 February 1939.

On 21 November 1966, Staff Sergeant Henry Cecil Lee was serving as a squad leader with 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) near Duc Co, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, SSG Lee's squad and elements of another platoon engaged a large enemy force near a small hill as they searched for several North Vietnamese Army soldiers that had been spotted earlier. When one of his men was wounded, SSG Lee immediately moved from his secure position and exposed himself to the intense enemy fire to move the wounded soldier to safety. As the battle continued, both the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant were wounded. SSG Lee immediately took charge and continued to direct effective fire on the enemy positions. SSG Lee's brave action contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy force and prevented his platoon from being overrun. SSG Lee's extraordinary heroism in close combat that day earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

On 21 March 1967, SSG Lee was killed in action when he sustained wounds from small arms fire. His body was recovered.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Henry Cecil Lee (ASN: RA-24637684), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force. Staff Sergeant Lee distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 November 1966, while serving as a squad leader with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during a search and destroy operation near Duc Co, Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Sergeant Lee's squad and elements of another platoon engaged a large enemy force near a small hill as they searched for several North Vietnamese Army soldiers who had been spotted earlier. When one of his men was wounded, Sergeant Lee immediately moved from his secure position and exposed himself to the intense enemy fire to move the wounded soldier to safety. As the battle continued, both the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant were wounded. Sergeant Lee immediately took charge and continued to direct effective fire on the enemy positions. His gallant action contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy force and prevented his platoon from being overrun. Sergeant Lee's extraordinary heroism in close combat was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Honors

The name Henry C Lee is located on Panel 17E Line 7 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Staff Sergeant Henry Cecil Lee is buried at Westover Memorial Park Cemetery in Augusta, GA, in Section 19.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101223215/henry-c.-lee