There were two men from Company A who were killed in action on April 20, 1966. They were:
PFC George Skapinsky, awarded the Silver Star, was buried in St Michael Cemetery, Boston, Massachusetts. He was survived by his parents Marion L and John Skapinsky, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), has awarded the SILVER STAR (Posthumously) to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
GEORGE J. SKAPINSKY
for distinguishing himself on 20 April 1966 during a mission to secure a
landing zone for a heliborne operation near Phan Thiet, Republic of Vietnam. While
manning his position in the defensive perimeter around the projected landing zone,
Private First Class Skapinsky detected a Viet Cong squad attempting to penetrate the
perimeter. After notifying his patrol leader of the situation, he concentrated a hail of fire
onto the surprised insurgents. The insurgents quickly dispersed into the jungle leaving
two dead behind. Private First Class Skapinsky volunteered to move forward with two
other men in search of the dead Viet Cong. After reaching the dead Viet Cong, Private
First Class Skapinsky again detected movement to his front only moments before the Viet
Cong launched a two pronged attack. Due to his alertness, his comrades were prepared to
repulse the Viet Cong, and killed two more insurgents. When intense hostile fire was
received from a tree line to their front, Private First Class Skapinsky, with complete
disregard for his safety, covered the withdrawal of his comrades until he was mortally
wounded. Private First Class Skapinky's extraordinary heroism in close combat against a
numerically superior hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States
Army.
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- - The Virtual Wall, July 22, 2014
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