Frank Leslie Dietrich
Colonel, U.S. Army

Frank Leslie Dietrich enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 1941.

World War II

In 1943, Frank Leslie Dietrich was serving as an enlisted man in the U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations. On Christmas Day, 25 December 1943, then-Sergeant Dietrich was serving with Company C, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, in action in Italy. On that day he earned the first of his (eventually) 3 Silver Star Medals for gallantry in Action.

Korean War

On 24 July 1950, now-Second Lieutenant Dietrich was serving as a member of the Heavy Mortar Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in Korea. On that day the Heavy Mortar Company, under severe tank-supported infantry attacks in the vicinity of Sangyang, Korea, was being provided tactical support by fighter aircraft whose strafing attacks were endangering the security of the company position. Seeing that his company was unable to deliver fire because of the strafing, 2LT Dietrich moved forward under intense fire to display an identification panel. Strafing attacks ended abruptly and the Heavy Mortar Company resumed firing and repulsed the enemy attack. 2LT Dietrich's prompt and courageous action in this critical situation earned him a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal.

On 9-11 November 1966, now-Lieutenant Colonel Dietrich was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 502nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, in South Vietnam.

On the morning of 9 November, as the 2nd Battalion Commander, LTC Dietrich was with his unit on a search and destroy operation near Tuy Hoa, when he was informed that contact had been made with an entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. Assessing the situation from his command and control helicopter, LTC Dietrich maneuvered his troops and by nightfall the hostile force was surrounded. As the battle raged on into the next morning, he joined his men on the ground and moved throughout the battlefield to assist his subordinate commanders, and comfort the wounded. On 11 November, LTC Dietrich climbed to the top of a tree with a radio to direct the conflict. While exposed in this position for 2 hours, he deployed the ground elements and supervised the broadcast of appeals for the enemy to surrender. As the battle progressed, he ran across 100 meters of bullet-swept terrain, and led a successful assault on a stubborn North Vietnamese position. Then, accompanied only by his radio operator, LTC Dietrich moved through 800 meters of dense jungle to another engaged platoon. Moving to the front, he again went through intense insurgent fire to encourage his men forward. His courageous actions and aggressive leadership under fierce hostile fire contributed immeasurably to the defeat of the hostile force. LTC Dietrich's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Dietrich served two tours in Vietnam. He served as a battalion commander during the first tour and as a brigade commander in the second tour.

He served as Commander, Army Garrison at Fort Stewart, GA. Dietrich retired as a Colonel in 1975 after 34 years of service.

Army Education & Training

● Parachute School
● Command and General Staff College
● Armed Forces Staff College
● Air War College

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (Germany)
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
United Nations Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge with 2 Stars (3rd Award)
Master Parachutist 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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Frank L. Dietrich (ASN: 0-78799/0-954068), 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Colonel Dietrich distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 9 to 11 November 1966 while commanding the 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry on a search and destroy operation near Tuy Hoa. On the morning of 9 November, he was informed that contact had been made with an entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. Quickly assessing the situation from a command and control helicopter, Colonel Dietrich brilliantly maneuvered his troops, and by nightfall the hostile force was surrounded. As the battle raged on into the next morning, he boldly joined his men on the ground. Unmindful of the extreme danger, he moved throughout the battlefield to assist his subordinate commanders and comfort the wounded. On 11 November Colonel Dietrich dauntlessly climbed to the top of a tree with a radio to direct the conflict. Remaining exposed in this perilous position for two hours, he courageously deployed the ground elements and supervised the broadcast of surrender appeals. As the battle progressed, he completely disregarded his safety by running across 100 meters of bullet-swept terrain, and led a successful assault on a stubborn North Vietnamese position. Then, accompanied only by his radio operator, Colonel Dietrich moved through 800 meters of dense jungle to another engaged platoon. Moving to the front, he again braved the intense insurgent fire to encourage his men forward. His unimpeachable valor and aggressive leadership under fierce hostile fire contributed immeasurably to the defeat of a determined hostile force. Lieutenant Colonel Dietrich's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty 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. 496 (February 1, 1967)

Death and Burial

Colonel Frank Leslie Dietrich died of cancer on 22 September 1997 in Anderson Memorial Medical Center in Clemson, SC. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 31, Site 5690.

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