David Peter Hellenbrand
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

David Peter Hellenbrand was born on 3 November 1947 in Janesville, WI, the son of Roman and Margaret Karls Hellenbrand. His early education was at the Saint John Vianney Catholic School and Marshall Junior High School. He graduated from Craig Senior High School where played football and was on the swim team. David attended the University of Wisconsin-Rock County and worked at the (GM) Fisher Body Plant in Janesville.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on 12 December 1967.

On 1 December 1968, Specialist Four David Peter Hellenbrand was serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Hellenbrand was point man for Company B during a reconnaissance-in-force mission southeast of Phouc Vinh. While breaking a trail through the thick jungle, SPC4 Hellenbrand spotted 3 North Vietnamese soldiers in a bunker preparing to ambush his unit. He shouted a warning to the other men and charged the entrenched communists, firing his rifle as he advanced. Although he was mortally wounded by the heavy enemy fire, he managed to crawl to an opening in the bunker and throw a grenade inside, killing the 3 enemy soldiers and destroying the fortification. Because of his speed and courage, he saved many of his comrades from being killed or wounded. SPC4 Hellenbrand'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 Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
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 pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class David Peter Hellenbrand (ASN: US-56459836), 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 Company B, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Hellenbrand distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 December 1968 as point man for his company during a reconnaissance-in-force mission southeast of Phouc Vinh. While breaking a trail through the thick jungle, Specialist Hellenbrand spotted three North Vietnamese soldiers in a bunker who were preparing to ambush his unit. He immediately shouted a warning to the other men and assaulted the entrenched communists, firing his rifle as he advanced. The withering enemy fire mortally wounded him, but he managed to crawl to an opening in the bunker and threw a grenade inside, killing the three hostile soldiers and destroying the fortification. Because of his quickness and courage, he saved many of his comrades from injury or death. Specialist Four Hellenbrand'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. 1147 (April 3, 1969)

Honors

The name David P Hellenbrand is located on Panel 37W Line 17 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four David Peter Hellenbrand is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Janesville, Rock County, WI.

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