Edmund Bagwel Scarborough
Captain, U.S. Army

Edmund Bagwel Scarborough was the son of Lawrence M. Scarborough, Colonel, U.S. Army and Charlotte G. Scarborough. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the U.S. Army on 30 May 1965.

On 10 May 1968, Captain Edmund Bagwel Scarborough was serving as commanding officer of Company C, 5th Battalion (Mechanized), 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, while in contact with an enemy force of battalion strength in Gia Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, CPT Scarborough's company and another company to his front were halted by a devastating crossfire. CPT Scarborough was ordered to pass through the now-beleaguered lead company and maneuver against the enemy's flank. He organized his mechanized assault and positioned himself in an extremely exposed location from which he could control the advance. Although the enemy force engaged the advancing element with antitank rockets, small arms and automatic weapons fire, CPT Scarborough continued to lead his men, direct the fire of all available weapons and maintain the advance. Knowing the psychological value of CPT Scarborough's leadership, the enemy began to concentrate all of their firepower at his position. CPT Scarborough remained exposed, directing the consolidation and supporting fires until he was fatally wounded by the heavy enemy fire. As a direct result of CPT Scarborough's courageous actions, the enemy lost 26 KIAs, 3 POWs and 7 weapons were captured. CPT Scarborough's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

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 Captain (Infantry) Edmund Bagwel Scarborough (ASN: OF-105268), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action on 10 May 1968 while serving as Commanding Officer, Company C, 5th Battalion (Mechanized), 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, in Gia Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam. While in contact with an enemy force of battalion strength, Captain Scarborough's company and another company to his front were halted by a devastating crossfire. Captain Scarborough was ordered to pass through the now-beleaguered lead company and maneuver against the enemy's flank. He immediately organized his mechanized assault and positioned himself in an extremely exposed location from which he could control the advance. Although the enemy force immediately engaged the advancing element with antitank rockets, small arms and automatic weapons fire, Captain Scarborough continued to lead his men, direct the fire of all available weapons and maintain the advance. Realizing the psychological value of Captain Scarborough's exceptional leadership, the enemy began to concentrate all of their firepower at his position. Captain Scarborough continued his utter disregard for his personal safety and remained exposed, directing the consolidation and supporting fires until he was fatally wounded by the concentrated enemy fire. As a direct result of Captain Scarborough's courage the enemy lost 26 KIAs, 3 POWs and 7 weapons were captured. Captain Scarborough's professional competence, grim determination and personal example inspired his men to victory and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 80 (December 16, 1968)

Honors

The name Edmund B Scarborough is located on Panel 58E Line 15 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Edmund Bagwel Scarborough is buried at Saint Georges Episcopal Church Cemetery in Pungoteague, Accomack County, VA.

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