John William Rucker
Sergeant, U.S. Army

John William Rucker was born on 27 November 1947 in Baltimore, MD, the son of William Goodwin and Beirne Blackford Moore Rucker.

On 14 December 1970, Sergeant John William Rucker was serving with Company C (Ranger), 75th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SGT Rucker was serving as assistant team leader to a 6-man patrol during ground operations near Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. As the small unit advanced along a narrow trail, the lead man observed a large enemy force moving toward the friendly element along the path. The American patrol hastened into an ambush position paralleling the enemy avenue of approach. Although vastly outnumbered, SGT Rucker and another team member initiated contact with the enemy as they unleashed a barrage of Claymore anti-personnel mines and automatic weapons fire. Using the element of surprise, SGT Rucker's stratagem resulted in the elimination of about 10 belligerents. The enemy reacted to the initial onslaught with fragmentation grenades and automatic weapons fire while attempting to surround SGT Rucker's team. Knowing the peril caused by the threat of encirclement, SGT Rucker exposed himself to the hail of enemy rounds as he fought to prevent them from flanking and trapping his men and was knocked to the ground by a flurry of bullets. Although wounded, he refused medical assistance and continued his mission of resistance. Numerous enemy troops tried to overrun the friendly perimeter, but SGT Rucker met the charge with accurate bursts from his M-16 rifle. Refusing to relinquish his position in the face of the enemy counter-attack, the SGT Rucker held his ground until his injuries weakened him and caused him to fall unconscious. Moments later, American medical helicopters and gunships arrived at the scene to evacuate the beleaguered troops but SGT Rucker died of his wounds en route to the base hospital. SGT Rucker'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, Badges and Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
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 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 Sergeant John William Rucker (ASN: US-222302703), 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 Company C (Ranger), 75th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. Sergeant Rucker distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 December 1970, while serving as assistant team leader to a six-man patrol during ground operations near Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. As the small unit advanced along a narrow trail, the lead man observed a large enemy force moving toward the friendly element along the path. Immediately, the American patrol hastened into an ambush position paralleling the enemy avenue of approach. Although vastly outnumbered, Sergeant Rucker and another team member initiated contact with the foe as they unleashed a barrage of claymore anti-personnel mines and automatic weapons fire. Utilizing the element of surprise, Sergeant Rucker's stratagem resulted in the elimination of approximately ten belligerents. The foe reacted to the initial onslaught with fragmentation grenades and automatic weapons fire while attempting to maneuver into position surrounding Sergeant Rucker's team. Realizing the peril caused by the threat of encirclement, Sergeant Rucker exposed himself to the hail of enemy rounds as he fought to prevent the foe from flanking and trapping his men, Suddenly, Sergeant Rucker was knocked to the ground by a flurry of bullets. Although painfully wounded, the sergeant refused medical assistance and continued his mission of resistance. Numerous enemy troops attempted to overrun the friendly perimeter, but Sergeant Rucker challenged the charge with accurate bursts from his M-16 rifle. Refusing to relinquish his position in the face of the enemy counter-attack, the tenacious Sergeant Rucker held his ground until his injuries weakened him and caused him to fall unconscious. Moments later, American medical helicopters and gunships arrived at the scene to evacuate the beleaguered troops. Sergeant Rucker succumbed to his wounds en route to the base hospital. Sergeant Rucker'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. 963 (March 20, 1971)

Honors

The name John W Rucker is located on Panel 6W Line 121 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Sergeant John William Rucker is buried at Jonesboro Cemetery in Roseland, Nelson County, VA.

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