Jimmy Goethel Stewart

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Jimmy Goethel Stewart (ASN: 15614853), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Republic of Vietnam, on 18 May 1966. Early in the morning a reinforced North Vietnamese company attacked Company B, which was manning a defensive perimeter. The surprise onslaught wounded five members of a six-man squad caught in the direct path of the enemy's thrust. Staff Sergeant Stewart became a lone defender of vital terrain--virtually one man against a hostile platoon. Refusing to take advantage of a lull in the firing which would have permitted him to withdraw, Staff Sergeant Stewart elected to hold his ground to protect his fallen comrades and prevent an enemy penetration of the company perimeter. As the full force of the platoon-sized man attack struck his lone position, he fought like a man possessed; emptying magazine after magazine at the determined, on-charging enemy. The enemy drove almost to his position and hurled grenades, but Staff Sergeant Stewart decimated them by retrieving and throwing the grenades back. Exhausting his ammunition, he crawled under intense fire to his wounded team members and collected ammunition that they were unable to use. Far past the normal point of exhaustion, he held his position for four harrowing hours and through three assaults, annihilating the enemy as they approached and before they could get a foothold. As a result of his defense, the company position held until the arrival of a reinforcing platoon which counterattacked the enemy, now occupying foxholes to the left of Staff Sergeant Stewart's position. After the counterattack, his body was found in a shallow enemy hole where he had advanced in order to add his fire to that of the counterattacking platoon. Eight enemy dead were found around his immediate position, with evidence that 15 others had been dragged away. The wounded whom he gave his life to protect, were recovered and evacuated. Staff Sergeant Stewart's indomitable courage, in the face of overwhelming odds, stands as a tribute to himself and an inspiration to all men of his unit. His actions were in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and the Armed Forces of his country.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 41 (September 22, 1967)

Action Date: 18-May-66

Service: Army

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Company: Company B

Battalion: 2d Battalion

Regiment: 12th Cavalry Regiment

Division: 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)