James Russell Hammersla
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

James Russell Hammersla was a 1962 graduate of Franklin Senior High School. In 1966, he received a Bachelors degree in Business Management from the University of Baltimore. He went to work for his father's concrete contracting company and, two months later, was drafted by the Army. James entered the U.S. Army on 12 September 1966.

On 17 December 1968, First Lieutenant James Russell Hammersla was serving with the 379th Transportation Company (Reefer), 7th Transportation Battalion (Truck), 48th Transportation Group (Motor Transport) in South Vietnam.

On that day, 1LT Hammersla was commander of a convoy carrying supplies from Long Binh to Dau Tieng. The convoy was ambushed by an estimated battalion-sized force of North Vietnamese Army troops occupying positions from 15 to 150 meters from the road and covering a 1200 meter killing zone. As the trucks ahead began receiving fire, 1LT Hammersla's jeep was struck by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. One of the trucks in front of him was then hit in the engine compartment disabling it in the middle of the road. 1LT Hammersla and the other occupants dismounted from their crippled vehicle and began returning fire on the North Vietnamese. Knowing that other sections of the convoy would soon drive into the ambush, he returned to his jeep through the intense hostile fire and radioed a warning. Although he was wounded by the communists' barrage, he managed to return to his defensive position. There he continued to encourage his men and direct their fire until he was mortally wounded by the enemy fusillade. His radio message prevented other convoy vehicles from being ambushed and caused reinforcements to be dispatched to the battle site. 1LT Hammersla'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 and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

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 First Lieutenant (Transportation Corps) James Russell Hammersla (ASN: 0-525509), 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 379th Transportation Company (Reefer), 7th Transportation Battalion (Truck), 48th Transportation Group (Motor Transport), United States Army Support Command. First Lieutenant Hammersla distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 December 1968 as commander of a convoy carrying supplies from Long Binh to Dau Tieng. The convoy was ambushed by an estimated battalion-sized force of North Vietnamese Army troops occupying positions from fifteen to a hundred and fifty meters from the road and covering a twelve hundred meter killing zone. As the trucks ahead began receiving fire, Lieutenant Hammersla's jeep was struck by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. One of the trucks in front of him was then hit in the engine compartment disabling it in the middle of the road. Lieutenant Hammersla and the other occupants quickly dismounted from their crippled vehicle and began returning fire on the North Vietnamese. Realizing that other sections of the convoy would soon drive into the ambush, he courageously returned to his jeep through the intense hostile fire and radioed a warning. He was wounded by the communists' barrage, but managed to return to his defensive position where he continued to encourage his men and direct their fire until he was mortally wounded by the enemy fusillade. His radio message prevented other convoy vehicles from being ambushed and caused reinforcements to be immediately dispatched to the battle site. First Lieutenant Hammersla'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. 1423 (April 23, 1969)

Honors

The name James R Hammersla is located on Panel 36W Line 35 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

First Lieutenant James Russell Hammersla is buried at Lorraine Park Cemetery in Woodlawn, Baltimore County, MD, in Garden of Peace (Section 5), Plot 421.

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