Joel Luther Schubert
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 24 October 1967, Private First Class Joel Luther Schubert was serving with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, PFC Schubert was serving as senior medical aidman to an infantry company conducting a search and destroy operation deep in enemy territory. As the company was moving through thick jungle underbrush, the lead element was attacked by a well-camouflaged Viet Cong squad, and incurred several wounded troops. When he heard their calls for medical aid, PFC Schubert rushed to treat his comrades. Despite the intensity of the hostile fire, he moved through the bullet swept area to within 15 meters of a Viet Cong emplacement and administered first aid to a seriously wounded soldier. While treating the casualty, PFC Schubert was wounded by a burst of enemy automatic weapons fire. Despite his wound, he moved from one casualty to the next, applying his skill until he had used all his medical supplies. He then crawled back to the friendly positions, resupplied himself and returned to his lifesaving mission under enemy fire. As he treated his fallen comrades, PFC Schubert was mortally wounded. PFC Schubert'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 and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
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 Private First Class Joel Luther Schubert (ASN: RA-28153264), 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 A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Schubert distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 October 1967 while serving as senior medical aidman to an infantry company conducting a search and destroy operation deep in enemy territory. As the company was moving through thick jungle underbrush, the lead element was savagely attacked by a well camouflaged Viet Cong squad, and suffered several wounded troops. When he heard their urgent pleas for medical aid, Private Schubert, without hesitation, rushed to treat his stricken comrades. Despite the intensity of the hostile fire, he courageously moved through the bullet swept area to within fifteen meters of a Viet Cong emplacement and administered first aid to a seriously injured soldier. While treating the casualty, Private Schubert was wounded by a burst of enemy automatic weapons fire. Despite his wound, he gallantly began moving from one casualty to the next, applying his skill until he had expended his medical supplies. He then crawled back to the friendly positions, resupplied himself and returned to continue his lifesaving mission amid the hail of enemy bullets. He received a mortal wound as he feverishly treated his fallen comrades. Private First Class Schubert'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. 6442 (December 14, 1967)

Honors

The name Joel L Schubert is located on Panel 28E Line 62 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Private First Class Joel Luther Schubert is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, San Mateo County, CA, in Plot G, 1587.

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