David Francis Winder

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class David Francis Winder, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Senior Medical Aidman with Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Republic of Vietnam, on 13 May 1970. After moving through freshly cut rice paddies in search of a suspected company-size enemy force, Private First Class Winder's unit started a thorough search of the area. Suddenly they were engaged with intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire by a well entrenched enemy force. Several friendly soldiers fell wounded in the initial contact and the unit was pinned down. Responding instantly to the cries of his wounded comrades, Private First Class Winder began maneuvering across approximately 100 meters of open, bullet-swept terrain toward the nearest casualty. Unarmed and crawling most of the distance, he was wounded by enemy fire before reaching his comrades. Despite his wounds and with great effort, Private First Class Winder reached the first casualty and administered medical aid. As he continued to crawl across the open terrain toward a second wounded soldier he was forced to stop when wounded a second time. Aroused by the cries of an injured comrade for aid, Private First Class Winder's great determination and sense of duty impelled him to move forward once again, despite his wounds, in a courageous attempt to reach and assist the injured man. After struggling to within ten meters of the man, Private First Class Winder was mortally wounded. His dedication and sacrifice inspired his unit to initiate an aggressive counterassault which led to the defeat of the enemy. Private First Class Winder's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 35 (September 6, 1974)

Action Date: May 13, 1970

Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

Company: Headquarters & Headquarters Company

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Regiment: 1st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade

Division: Americal Division