The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, 2LT Jasper Dean Sturdivant, who died in the service of his country on July 3rd, 1966 in Pleiku Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Multi-Frag. At the time of his death Jasper was 28 years of age. He was from Lake View Terrace, California. Jasper is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 08E, Line 127.
The decorations earned by 2LT Jasper Dean Sturdivant include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Burial:
Oakwood Memorial Park
Chatsworth
Los Angeles County
California, USA
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 3 July 1966, Second Lieutenant Sturdivant was leading a two squad patrol during a search and destroy mission near Thang Duc. When his unit received intense hostile fire from a reinforced Viet Cong company, Second Lieutenant Sturdivant and many of his men were seriously wounded. As the insurgent onslaught continued, a portion of his hasty defense was overrun and the remainder of his force was surrounded. Despite the severity of his wounds and repeated attacks by the fanatical Viet cong, Second Lieutenant Sturdivant rallied his isolated force, radioed for reinforcements, and continued to direct and encourage his comrades. Realizing that his force was about to be overrun, Second Lieutenant Sturdivant, with complete disregard for his safety, called artillery fire onto his own position in an effort to break the encirclement. He continued to operate the radio and fire his weapon until his ammunition was expended. Fully aware that he was critically wounded, Second Lieutenant Sturdivant disassembled his weapon, placed the bolt under his body, and died. Second Lieutenant Sturdivant's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963, and Department of the Army message 782774, dated 19 September 1966.
|
