Clarence Eugene Sasser, SP5

Clarence Eugene Sasser (born September 12, 1947) is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Biography

Born in Chenango, Texas, Sasser was a combat medic in the United States Army during the Vietnam war. He received the medal from President Richard Nixon in 1969 for his actions on January 10, 1968, in Ding Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam. A member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, he was a private first class attached to the 3rd Battalion's Company A when he earned the medal and eventually was promoted to specialist five.

Drafted into the Army after giving up his college deferment, Sasser's Vietnam tour lasted just 51 days. When his military commitment was finished he returned to college as a chemistry student. He then worked at an oil refinery for more than five years before being employed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

A statue depicting Sasser in Vietnam was created in 2010 and will be placed in front of the Brazoria County Courthouse.

Medal of Honor

Sasser's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp5c. Sasser distinguished himself while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. He was serving as a medical aidman with Company A, 3d Battalion, on a reconnaissance in force operation. His company was making an air assault when suddenly it was taken under heavy small arms, recoilless rifle, machinegun and rocket fire from well fortified enemy positions on 3 sides of the landing zone. During the first few minutes, over 30 casualties were sustained. Without hesitation, Sp5c. Sasser ran across an open rice paddy through a hail of fire to assist the wounded. After helping 1 man to safety, was painfully wounded in the left shoulder by fragments of an exploding rocket. Refusing medical attention, he ran through a barrage of rocket and automatic weapons fire to aid casualties of the initial attack and, after giving them urgently needed treatment, continued to search for other wounded. Despite 2 additional wounds immobilizing his legs, he dragged himself through the mud toward another soldier 100 meters away. Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sp5c. Sasser reached the man, treated him, and proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative safety. There he attended their wounds for 5 hours until they were evacuated. Sp5c. Sasser's extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army