Stephen Eugene Laier
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

Stephen Eugene Laier was born on 1 July 1947, the son of Joseph George and Hazel Catherine Kamphues Laier. He entered active duty in the U.S. Army on 19 October 1964 from Fort Wayne, IN.

On 4 February 1966, Specialist Four Stephen Eugene Laier was serving with 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that date, SPC4 Laier was a radio telephone operator with his 3rd Platoon on a night combat operation in the vicinity of Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam. At about 1745 hours, an insurgent force of unknown strength, using antipersonnel mines and small arms fire as primary weapons, ambushed the 3rd Platoon causing them to suffer heavy casualties. During the initial insurgent assault, SPC4 Laier was one of 11 men wounded (3 other men were killed instantly) by mines that were wired to detonate simultaneously. Both of SPC4 Laier's legs were severed from his body in the explosion. He tied rough tourniquets around the stumps of his legs and then groped to find his radio in the nearby undergrowth. The tremendous blast had knocked the radio off frequency but, despite the intense surging pain from his wounds, SPC4 Laier fought off unconsciousness, recalibrated the radio, and established contact with higher headquarters to request assistance for his besieged platoon. The requested helicopters were dispatched to the battle areas. As the helicopters arrived at the site, SPC4 Laier directed their landing to his position which, at that time, was relatively safe from the Viet Cong assault. With darkness approaching, he directed the relief elements to the other besieged platoon members in order to effect their safe evacuation.

When SPC4 Laier arrived at the 3rd Surgical Hospital at Bien Hoa that night, with most of the blood drained from his body. After he received 6-pints of blood, his condition improved. During the next 11 days, SPC4 Laier received a total of 60 pints of blood. He later developed several complications that required additional surgeries on his legs. During all of this, SPC4 Laier never once complained of his misfortune. He even told Major General Jonathan Seaman that he wanted to remain in the Army after he got his new legs. Laier's spirit never faltered; it was his body that failed him. Specialist Laier died of his wounds on 15 February 1966. His extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. [Parts of the data above were derived from an article in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper on 21 February 1966.]

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device
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 Specialist Fourth Class Stephen Eugene Laier (ASN: RA-16815481), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 February 1966, Specialist Laier, a radio telephone operator, of the 3d Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, was accompanying his platoon on a night combat operation in the vicinity of Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam. At approximately 1745 hours, an insurgent force of unknown strength, utilizing antipersonnel mines and small arms fire as a prime means of their offensive, ambushed the platoon causing them to suffer heavy casualties. During the initial insurgent assault, Specialist Laier was seriously wounded from the effects of a mine which severed his legs from his body and knocked his radio off frequency. Despite the intense surging pain from his serious wounds, Specialist Laier fought off unconsciousness, recalibrated his radio, and established contact with higher headquarters to request assistance for his besieged platoon. As a result of his request, troop laden helicopters were dispatched to the battle areas. As the friendly aircraft approached the site, Specialist Laier directed their landing to his position, which at that time was relatively safe from the Viet Cong assault. With darkness drawing near, he directed the relief elements to the other besieged platoon members in order to effect their timely and safe evacuation. Specialist Laier later died as a result of his mortal wounds. His extraordinary heroism, gallantry in action, and supreme sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Arm and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 91 (April 22, 1966)

Honors

The name Stephen E Laier is located on Panel 5E Line 38 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four Stephen Eugene Laier is buried at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne, Allen County, IN, in Block 15, Lot 204-B.

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