Billy Lane Lauffer

He charged enemy bunkers so wounded comrades could be saved.

Billy Lane Lauffer was born in Murray, Kentucky, on 20 October 1945 and entered the Army from Phoenix, Arizona. He served with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. He arrived in Vietnam on 15 September 1966, just six days before his final action.

Lauffer earned a posthumous Medal of Honor near Bon Son, Vietnam, on 21 September 1966. A private first class with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, he saw his squad trapped by cross-fire from two bunkers. Wounded men lay exposed and covering fire could not free the group. Lauffer rose and charged the positions, drawing their attention. His assault gave the point man time to crawl to cover and enabled others to move litter patients to safety. He was fatally wounded during the diversion.

He was buried at Murray Memorial Gardens in Kentucky. Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor presented the posthumous Medal of Honor to his family at the Pentagon on 15 August 1968. A middle school in Tucson, Arizona, was dedicated in his name in 2005.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Lauffer's squad, a part of Company C, was suddenly struck at close range by an intense machine-gun crossfire from two concealed bunkers astride the squad's route. Pfc. Lauffer, the second man in the column, saw the leadman fall and noted that the remainder of the squad was unable to move. Two comrades, previously wounded and being carried on litters, were lying helpless in the beaten zone of the enemy fire. Reacting instinctively, Pfc. Lauffer quickly engaged both bunkers with fire from his rifle, but when the other squad members attempted to maneuver under his cover fire, the enemy fusillade increased in volume and thwarted every attempt to move. Seeing this and his wounded comrades helpless in the open, Pfc. Lauffer rose to his feet and charged the enemy machine-gun positions, firing his weapon and drawing the enemy's attention. Keeping the enemy confused and off balance, his one-man assault provided the crucial moments for the wounded point man to crawl to a covered position, the squad to move the exposed litter patients to safety, and his comrades to gain more advantageous positions. Pfc. Lauffer was fatally wounded during his selfless act of courage and devotion to his fellow soldiers. His gallantry at the cost of his life served as an inspiration to his comrades and saved the lives of an untold number of his companions. His actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.