Christopher Joseph O'Sullivan
Captain, U.S. Army

Christopher Joseph O'Sullivan was born on 21 June 1936, the son of William J. and Anna E. O'Sullivan. He entered the U.S. Army on 28 September 1958 at Astoria, NY.

On 19 April 1965, Captain Christopher Joseph O'Sullivan was serving with BDQ Advisory Team TD 39, Advisory Team 7, MACV Advisors, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.

On that day, CPT O'Sullivan was Senior Advisor to the 39th Ranger Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, which was participating in a search and destroy mission in connection with Operation THANG 518. During the operation, the Ranger Battalion as lead element of a northern force moved west on one axis while another battalion of Vietnamese Marines and armored personnel carriers, that composed the southern force, also moved west on another axis. At 1700 hours, the composite battalion was attacked by a strong Viet Cong force and was forced to withdraw towards the 39th Ranger Battalion. During the initial contact of the friendly forces, CPT O'Sullivan, realizing the importance of command and control, attempted to stop the withdrawing troops and establish a defensive line to hold back the attacking insurgents. However, due to the heavy concentration of insurgent fire, his attempt proved futile and the friendly forces were forced to withdraw to another defensive position about 400 meters to the rear of the first line. Upon establishing this hasty defense, CPT O'Sullivan, continuously exposed himself to the hostile fire and moved from one position to another to direct deadly fire upon the advancing insurgents. During the ensuing battle, CPT O'Sullivan personally accounted for 15 Viet Cong casualties and as a result of his leadership and courageous actions, 75 troops that were pinned down and trapped by the Viet Cong were rescued. CPT O'Sullivan's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

CPT O'Sullivan was killed in action during another battle on 30 May 1965.

Medals, Awards, Badges & Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Ranger Tab

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Christopher Jo O'Sullivan (0-85063), Captain, 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 the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Captain O'Sullivan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 April 1965 while serving as Senior Advisor to the 39th Ranger Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, which was participating in a search and destroy mission in connection with Operation THANG 518. During the operation, the Ranger Battalion as lead element of a northern force moved west on one axis while another battalion of Vietnamese Marines and armored personnel carriers, which composed the southern force, also moved west on another axis. At 1700 hours, the composite battalion was attacked by a strong Viet Cong force and was forced to withdraw towards the 39th Ranger Battalion. During the initial contact of the friendly forces, Captain O'Sullivan, realizing the importance of command and control, attempted to stop the withdrawing troops and establish a defensive line to hold back the attacking insurgents. However, due to the heavy concentration of insurgent fire, his attempt proved futile and the friendly forces were forced to withdraw to another defensive position approximately four hundred meters to the rear of the first line. Upon establishing this hasty defense, Captain O'Sullivan, with complete disregard for his personal safety, continuously exposed himself to the hostile fire and moved from one position to another to effectively direct a hail of deadly fire upon the advancing insurgents. During the ensuing battle, Captain O'Sullivan personally accounted for fifteen Viet Cong casualties and as a result of his dynamic leadership and heroic actions, seventy five troops which were pinned down and trapped by the Viet Cong were rescued. Captain O'Sullivan's extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Headquarters, US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 195 (1965)

Honors

The name Christopher J O'Sullivan is located on Panel 1E Line 128 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Christopher Joseph O'Sullivan is buried at the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, NY, in Plot: D, 800AA.

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