Gary William Carlson
Captain, U.S. Army

Gary William Carlson was born on 28 June 1945 in Brockton, MA, the son of Carl and Rebecca Clark Carlson, and grew up on a small farm. He truly cared for others and, while in junior high school he tried in vain to rescue a drowning classmate. He attended West Bridgewater High School where he was on the basketball, gymnastics and cross country teams. He was an active member of the Student Council and served as Secretary of the National Honor Society.

On 2 March 1969, then-First Lieutenant Gary William Carlson was serving with Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, 1LT Carlson was on a reconnaissance-in-force operation when elements of Troop B came in contact with a large enemy force in well-fortified positions. During the initial contact, one of the tanks was struck by a rocket propelled grenade and burst into flames. After ensuring that the wounded crew members had been evacuated to a safe area, 1LT Carlson directed his vehicles on line and began to assault the hostile positions. As the battle progressed, 1LT Carlson exposed himself to the hail of fire as he personally silenced several of the aggressor's emplacements with hand grenades. When the Troop Commander was wounded and evacuated from the area, 1LT Carlson assumed command of the Troop and directed his men's fire throughout the remainder of the contact. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and the defeat of the hostile force. This earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

On 19 June 1969, now-Captain Carlson was commanding Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. During a reconnaissance-in-force operation, Troop C came under fire from a well-concealed enemy force and CPT Carlson immediately led his men in an assault on the hostile fortifications. Knowing that the crossfire was impeding the movement of his Troop, he single-handedly assaulted and destroyed the most strategic hostile position. CPT Carlson then directed his fire against another enemy position, silencing it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Spotting a wounded comrade lying exposed to the enemy barrage, CPT Carlson braved the fusillade to move the man to safety. He then returned to the center of conflict to evacuate another casualty. As he returned to his vehicle, he was knocked to the ground by a rocket-propelled grenade that rendered his command vehicle inoperative. Moving through a hail of fire to reach another vehicle, he resumed control of his Troop. It was while he was directing this assault on the enemy that he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. CPT Carlson's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and Silver and Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Ranger Tab

Captain Carlson became the USMA Class of 1967's most decorated graduate.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Armor) Gary William Carlson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop C, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Carlson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1969 as troop commander during a reconnaissance-in-force operation. When the troop came under fire from a well-concealed enemy force, he immediately led his men in an assault on the hostile fortifications. Realizing that the crossfire was impeding the movement of his troop, he single-handedly assaulted and destroyed the most strategic hostile position. He then directed his fire against another enemy position, silencing it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Spotting a wounded comrade lying exposed to the enemy barrage, Captain Carlson braved the fusillade to move the man to safety. He then returned to the center of conflict to evacuate another casualty. As he returned to his vehicle, he was knocked to the ground by a rocket-propelled grenade which rendered his command vehicle inoperative. Braving a hail of fire to reach another vehicle, he resumed control of his troop. It was while he was directing this assault on the enemy that he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Captain Carlson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3274 (August 23, 1969)

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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Armor) Gary William Carlson (ASN: 0F-111468), United States Army, for gallantry in action. First Lieutenant Carlson distinguished himself by heroic actions on 2 March 1969, while serving with Troop B, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a reconnaissance in force operation, elements of Troop B came in contact with a large enemy force in well-fortified positions. During the initial contact, one of the tanks was struck by a rocket propelled grenade and immediately burst into flames. After insuring that the wounded crew members had been evacuated to a safe area, Lieutenant Carlson directed his vehicles on line and began to assault the hostile positions. As the battle progressed, Lieutenant Carlson, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to the hail of fire as he personally silenced several of the aggressor's emplacements with hand grenades. When the Troop Commander was wounded and evacuated from the area, Lieutenant Carlson immediately assumed command of the troop and directed his men's fire throughout the remainder of the contact. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and the defeat of the hostile force. Lieutenant Carlson's bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders 7159 (May 23, 1969)

Honors

● The name Gary W Carlson is located on Panel 22W Line 85 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
● The Mother's Club of West Bridgewater, MA, annually awards a scholarship to a deserving high school senior in Gary Carlson's memory.
● In May 1990, a clock tower in West Bridgewater's new library was dedicated in his honor.

Burial

Captain Gary William Carlson is buried at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery in West Point, Orange County, NY.

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