Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry Regiment of the Indiana National Guard, will receive the Presidential Unit Citation for their service in Vietnam. The unit served between December 1968 and November 1969 and was the only Army National Guard ground maneuver unit in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.
Service and Sacrifice
The Indiana Rangers conducted long-range reconnaissance patrols deep in enemy territory. Of the more than 200 Indiana Rangers who deployed to Vietnam, six were killed. The soldiers of the unit earned over 500 individual medals, including 19 Silver Stars, 175 Bronze Stars, and 110 Purple Hearts.
Indiana Congresswoman Victoria Spartz announced that the highly-decorated unit will receive the nation’s highest unit award. “It has been a tremendous honor to help recognize these incredible Hoosier heroes,” said Rep. Spartz. “The Indiana Rangers demonstrated extraordinary courage under some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable.”
Maj. Gen. Larry Muennich, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, also praised the unit. “The Indiana Rangers of the 151st Infantry Regiment set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire our force today,” he said. “They lived the Warrior Ethos in the most unforgiving conditions, demonstrating a fierce loyalty to their brothers in arms and an unwavering commitment to the mission. We could not be prouder of this historic heroism.”
The unit will be formally presented with the award at a ceremony in Indianapolis on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
