William Daniels Meara, Jr.
Captain, U.S. Army

On 2 November 1968, Captain William Daniels Meara, Jr. was serving with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in South Vietnam.

On that day, CPT Meara was commanding Company B on a reconnaissance-in-force-mission south of Landing Zone Billie. As his unit was returning to the landing zone, one platoon suddenly came under intense fire from a numerically-superior North Vietnamese Army force and was completely cut-off from the remainder of the company. CPT Meara turned his lead elements around to go to the aid of the besieged platoon. While nearing the battle area, the relief column came under heavy small arms fire from enemy bunkers to their front. CPT Meara deployed his troops and moved among their positions, directing their fire, shouting words of encouragement and checking for casualties. After he had prepared his company for an attack, he and his point man led an assault on the first bunker in their path. Firing their weapons and hurling grenades, they charged and destroyed the emplacement and its occupants. Despite the fierce hostile fire, the 2 men continued their onslaught until the point man was felled by sniper fire as they advanced on another fortification. CPT Meara placed a heavy volley on the communists and attempted to reach his comrade. Braving the enemy barrage, he persisted in his efforts until he was mortally wounded. CPT Meara'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
Air Medal
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 takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to William Daniels Meara (0-3190077), Captain (Infantry), U.S. 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, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Captain Meara distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 November 1968 while commanding his company on a reconnaissance-in-force-mission south of Landing Zone Billie. As his unit was returning to the landing zone, one platoon suddenly came under intense fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese's Army force and was severed completely from the remainder of the company. Captain Meara immediately turned his lead elements around to go to the aid of the besieged platoon. Approaching the battle area, the relief column also came under heavy small arms fire from enemy bunkers to their front. Captain Meara deployed his troops and moved among their positions, directing their fire, shouting words of encouragement and checking for casualties. After he had prepared his company for an attack, he and his point man led an assault on the first bunker in their path. Firing their weapons and hurling grenades, they charged and destroyed the emplacement, killing its occupants. Despite the fierce hostile fire, the two men continued their furious onslaught until the point man was felled by sniper fire as they advanced on another fortification. Captain Meara instantly placed a heavy volley on the communists and attempted to reach his comrade. Braving the enemy barrage, he courageously persisted in his efforts until he was mortally wounded. Captain Meara'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.

Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 384 (February 4, 1969)

Honors

The name William D Meara Jr is located on Panel 39W Line 8 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain William Daniels Meara, Jr. is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 10, Site 10586-0.

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