Gerry Arthur Harr
Captain, U.S. Army

On 7 April 1968, then-First Lieutenant Gerry Arthur Harr was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, 1LT Harr was a platoon leader during a reconnaissance-in-force operation near the Song Be River in Chon Thon Province. Upon entering a hostile base camp, his 1st Battalion came in contact with a large enemy force concealed in well-fortified positions. 1LT Harr's platoon was part of the lead element and came under heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire. An assault was made on the Viet Cong, but it was halted by an intense enemy barrage. Moving far forward, 1LT Harr exposed himself to fire an antitank weapon at a key bunker. Unable to destroy the strongly-built fortification, he charged through a hail of fire and hurled a hand grenade into the bunker, and then crawled inside to ensure its occupants were dead. Receiving fire from a previously undetected position, he assaulted it too, killing 1 Viet Cong with rifle fire and 1 with a grenade. He then entered the emplacement to make certain no resistance remained. His example inspired the men of his unit to unleash an assault that overran the enemy base camp. 1LT Harr's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

While then-Captain Harr was serving a second tour of duty in Vietnam, he was killed in action on 3 July 1971.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit) with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Gerry A. Harr (ASN: OF-108634), 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Harr distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 April 1968 as a platoon leader during a reconnaissance-in-force operation near the Song Be River in Chon Thon Province. Upon entering a hostile base camp, his battalion came in contact with a large enemy force concealed in well fortified positions. Lieutenant Harr's platoon was part of the lead element and came under heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire. An assault was made on the Viet Cong, but it was halted by an intense enemy barrage. Moving far forward, Lieutenant Harr boldly exposed himself to a hail of bullets to fire an antitank weapon at a key bunker. Unable to destroy the strongly built fortification, he charged through a hail of fire and hurled a hand grenade into the bunker, and then crawled inside to ensure its occupants were dead. Receiving fire from a previously undetected position, he assaulted it also, slaying one Viet Cong with rifle fire and one with a grenade. He then entered the emplacement, again making certain no resistance remained. His example inspired the men of his unit to unleash an assault which overran the enemy base camp. First Lieutenant Harr's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty 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. 4276 (September 10, 1968)

Honors

The name Gerry A Harr is located on Panel 3W Line 98 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Gerry Arthur Harr is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 8, Site 8112.