Joseph John Strucel
Private First Class, U.S. Army

Joseph John Strucel was born on 28 August 1948, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Strucel.

On 5 March 1969, Private First Class Joseph John Strucel was serving with C Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, in Kontum Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, PFC Strucel 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
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private Strucel distinguished himself while serving as an Infantryman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. On 5 March 1969, Private Strucel's company was conducting combat operations in Kontum Province when it was engaged by a numerically superior enemy force. The first volley of enemy fire wounded the members of the point element and isolated them from the remainder of the company. Maneuvering forward under the intense fire, Private Strucel reached his wounded comrades, administered first aid and carried them to positions of safety. Realizing the forward elements of the company were dangerously low on ammunition he crawled through the hail of fire with critically needed ammunition. As the enemy fire increased in intensity and his unit was immobilized, he again moved forward as enemy fire raked the friendly positions, placing devastating counterfire on them. From a position some twenty meters from the enemy's bunkers, Private Strucel eliminated several of the bunkers before he was mortally wounded. Private Strucel's courageous acts, determination, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918.

Honors

The name Joseph J Strucel is located on Panel W30 Line 49 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

PFC Joseph John Strucel is buried at Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit, MI.

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