Samuel Gizzi Orlando
Hospitalman, U.S. Navy

On 4 March 1966, Hospitalman Samuel Gizzi Orlando was serving as a Corpsman with Company H, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam.

On that date, during Operation Utah, HN Orlando learned that additional Corpsmen were needed when one of the platoons of Company H was hit particularly hard by intense automatic weapons and heavy mortar fire, and was sustaining heavy casualties. HN Orlando unhesitatingly left his position of relative safety and moved across a barren hill, in the face of intense fire, to the wounded Marines. Exercising skill and resourcefulness, HN Orlando dressed many wounds and helped evacuate casualties, making several daring trips across the fire-swept area. During one of these trips, when HN Orlando heard a call for more machine-gun ammunition, he quickly acquired the necessary rounds and carried them to the machine-gun position that was in critically short supply. Hearing the cries of a wounded Marine during an ensuing enemy counterattack, HN Orlando crawled forward in a brave attempt to render aid, but was mortally wounded by enemy fire at the moment he reached his objective. HN Orlando's courage and dedication to duty that day saved the lives of many of his comrades and earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Navy's second highest award for valor, the Navy Cross.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Navy Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Hospitalman Samuel Gizzi Orlando (NSN: 5910304), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 4 March 1966 while serving as a Corpsman in Company H, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, during Operation UTAH in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon learning that additional Corpsmen were needed when one of the platoons of his company was particularly hard hit by intense automatic weapons and heavy mortar fire and was sustaining heavy casualties, Orlando unhesitatingly left his position of relative safety and moved across a barren hill, in the face of intense fire, to the wounded Marines. Exercising outstanding professional skill and resourcefulness, he dressed many wounds and helped evacuate casualties, making several daring trips across the fire-swept area. During one of these trips, when he heard a call for more machine-gun ammunition, he quickly acquired the necessary rounds and carried them to the machine-gun position which was in critically short supply. Hearing the cries of a wounded Marine during an ensuing enemy counterattack, Orlando crawled forward in a courageous attempt to render aid, but was mortally wounded by enemy fire at the moment he reached his objective. In sacrificing his own life while saving the lives of many of his comrades, Orland displayed the highest degree of courage and self-sacrifice. His heroic and inspiring efforts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Honors

The name Samuel G Orlando is located on Panel 5E Line 108 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Hospitalman Samuel Gizzi Orlando is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 37, Site 2632.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49007792/samuel-gizzi-orlando