John William Kreckel
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

John William Kreckel was born on 30 May 1948, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Kreckel.

On 22 July 1970, then-Sergeant John William Kreckel was serving with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in South Vietnam.

On that day, SGT Kreckel was a squad leader during an intense enemy attack at Fire Support Base Ripcord. Soon after the enemy initiated their attack on the base, the allies were forced to withdraw from their hilltop location to organize a counter-offensive. As they prepared to assault the enemy, the allied element began receiving intense fire from an enemy machine gun emplacement located on higher terrain. SGT Kreckel ran into the fire-swept area and began administering aid to wounded allied soldiers. He then organized several men into an assault force and led them up the hill toward the enemy position. As the assault force neared the enemy emplacement, intense fire forced them to take cover. At this time, SGT Kreckel observed a companion standing directly in the line of fire of an enemy weapon. Leaving his covered position, he ran to the soldier and pushed him to safety but was simultaneously killed by the enemy fire. SGT Kreckel'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.

Kreckel received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

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 Sergeant John William Kreckel, 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, 2d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Sergeant Kreckel distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 July 1970 while serving as a squad leader during an intense enemy attack at Fire Support Base Ripcord. Soon after the enemy initiated their attack on the base, the allies were forced to withdraw from their hilltop location to organize a counter-offensive. As they prepared to assault the enemy, the allied element began receiving intense fire from an enemy machine gun emplacement located on higher terrain. Without hesitation, Sergeant Kreckel ran into the fire-swept area and began administering aid to wounded allied soldiers. He then organized several companions into an assault force and led them up the hill toward the enemy position. As the assault force neared the enemy emplacement, intense fire forced them to take cover. At this time, Sergeant Kreckel observed a companion standing directly in the line of fire of an enemy weapon. Leaving his covered position, the sergeant ran to the soldier and pushed him to safety but was simultaneously killed by the enemy fusillade. Sergeant Kreckel'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. 5063 (November 12, 1970)

Honors

The name John W Kreckel is located on Panel 8W Line 43 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Staff Sergeant John William Kreckel is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI, in Block 53.

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