Robert Dean Plato
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 20 May 1968, Master Sergeant Robert Dean Plato was serving with Command and Control (North), FOB 1 (Phu Bai), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in South Vietnam.

On that day, MSG Plato was the leader of a Vietnamese platoon on a reconnaissance-in-force patrol. His unit had become surrounded by a numerically-superior enemy force that began closing on 1 squad that was isolated from the rest of the platoon. Exposing himself to enemy fire, MSG Plato joined the squad, rallied its members and directed their counterfire against the insurgents. As the fight grew more intense, the enemy received reinforcements, and MSG Plato knew that his men would not be able to hold their ground much longer. Ordering the squad to join the main force's perimeter, he remained behind and placed fire on the insurgents to cover the withdrawal. As he began his own move toward the perimeter, he discovered that not everyone had returned. He ran back to his former position, saw 3 missing men, and made his way to them. Only 1 was still alive. MSG Plato held off the assaulting enemy long enough for the man to reach the safety of the perimeter. Knowing it was too late to return there himself, he chose to hold his ground as long as possible. He fought the enemy until his position was overrun and he was killed. His stand diverted the insurgents' attention from the main perimeter and totally disrupted their assault. MSG Plato's courageous actions and 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, Badges & Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab

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 Master Sergeant Robert Dean Plato (ASN: RA-54140742), 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 Command and Control (North), FOB 1 (Phu Bai), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Master Sergeant Plato distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 May 1968, as the leader of a Vietnamese platoon on a reconnaissance-in-force patrol. His unit had become surrounded by a numerically superior enemy force which began closing on one squad that was isolated from the rest of the platoon. Exposing himself to enemy fire, Sergeant Plato joined the squad, rallied its members and directed their counterfire against the insurgents. As the fight grew more intense, the enemy received reinforcements, and Sergeant Plato realized that his men would not be able to hold their ground much longer. Ordering the squad to join the main force's perimeter, he remained behind and placed devastating fire on the insurgents to cover the withdrawal. As he began his own maneuver toward the perimeter, he discovered that not everyone had returned. Disregarding his own safety, he ran back to his former position, saw three missing men, and made his way to them. Only one was still alive. Sergeant Plato held off the assaulting enemy long enough for the man to reach the safety of the perimeter. Realizing it was too late to return there himself, he chose to hold his ground as long as possible. He fought the enemy with deadly fury until his position was overrun and he was killed. His gallant stand diverted the insurgents' attention from the main perimeter and totally disrupted their assault. Master Sergeant Plato'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. 3333 (July 15, 1968)

Honors

The name Robert D Plato is located on Panel 64E Line 7 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Master Sergeant Robert Dean Plato is buried at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, OK, in Plot: 10, 2153.

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