Herbert Wheeler Klug
Corporal, U.S. Army

Herbert Wheeler Klug was born on 17 April 1948 in Grahn, KY. He entered the U.S. Army on 7 May 1969 at Cincinnati, OH.

On 1 March 1970, then-Private First Class Herbert Wheeler Klug was serving with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade, in South Vietnam.

On that day, PFC Klug's unit was on a reconnaissance operation, near the village of Suoi Kiet,when it was ambushed by an enemy force of unknown size. Four of the 6 men in the lead element were wounded, and the platoon leader was mortally wounded. The company commander ordered the platoon to withdraw so he could call in artillery fire on the enemy positions. Knowing that the enemy would overrun the 5 men trapped-forward when the platoon withdrew, PFC Klug and 2 other comrades volunteered to try to rescue the wounded. Upon reaching the wounded men, 1 of the 3 was wounded. PFC Klug pulled the wounded man to safety and, with his buddy, continued the search for the other wounded men. Finding two of the stranded and wounded soldiers, PFC Klug and his comrade pulled these men back to the perimeter. While rescuing the 2 soldiers, PFC Klug was wounded but still left the perimeter in search of the other wounded men. When he found the wounded men, PFC Klug placed suppressive fire on the enemy while pulling the men back toward the perimeter. While crossing an exposed rocky area, PFC Klug was mortally wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade. PFC Klug'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.

Klug received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Corporal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
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 Private First Class Herbert Wheeler Klug, 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 A, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade. While on a reconnaissance operation, near the village of Suoi Kiet, Private First Class Klug's unit was ambushed by an enemy force of unknown size. Four of the six men in the lead element were wounded, and the platoon leader was mortally wounded. The company commander ordered the platoon to withdraw so he could call in support artillery fire on the enemy positions. Realizing that the enemy would immediately overrun the five trapped forward as soon as the platoon withdrew, Private First Class Klug and two other comrades volunteered to try and rescue the wounded. Trying to reach the wounded soldiers, one of the three was wounded. Private First Class Klug pulled the wounded soldier to safety and continued the search with his remaining buddy for the other wounded men. Finding two of the stranded and wounded soldiers, Private First Class Klug and his comrade pulled these men back to the perimeter. While rescuing the two soldiers Private First Class Klug was wounded. Despite this wound, Private First Class Klug left the perimeter in search of the other wounded soldiers. Upon finding the wounded men Private First Class Klug placed effective suppressive fire on the enemy while pulling the wounded men back toward the perimeter. While crossing an exposed rocky area, Private First Class Klug was mortally wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade. His courage and concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers earned him the respect of all whom he served. Private First Class Klug's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Honors

The name Herbert W Klug is located on Panel 13W Line 71 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Corporal Herbert Wheeler Klug is buried at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Montgomery County, OH.

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