Frank A. Herda

Shielding two comrades from a grenade near Dak To

Frank Aloysious Herda earned the Medal of Honor near Dak To, South Vietnam, on June 29, 1968. A private first class serving as a grenadier in Company A, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, he defended a foxhole during a sapper attack.

When an enemy grenade landed beside him and two comrades, one already wounded, Herda fired a final grenade-launcher round and covered the explosive with his body. He suffered grievous wounds but protected both men and survived.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 13, 1947, he received the medal on May 14, 1970. He died on October 13, 2023, and was buried at Brooklyn Heights Cemetery in Cleveland.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Herda (then Pfc.) distinguished himself while serving as a grenadier with Company A. Company A was part of a battalion-size night defensive perimeter when a large enemy force initiated an attack on the friendly units. While other enemy elements provided diversionary fire and indirect weapons fire to the west, a sapper force of approximately 30 men armed with hand grenades and small charges attacked Company A's perimeter from the east. As the sappers were making a last, violent assault, five of them charged the position defended by Sp4c. Herda and two comrades, one of whom was wounded and lay helpless in the bottom of the foxhole. Sp4c. Herda fired at the aggressors until they were within 10 feet of his position and one of their grenades landed in the foxhole. He fired one last round from his grenade launcher, hitting one of the enemy soldiers in the head, and then, with no concern for his safety, Sp4c. Herda immediately covered the blast of the grenade with his body. The explosion wounded him grievously, but his selfless action prevented his two comrades from being seriously injured or killed and enabled the remaining defender to kill the other sappers. By his gallantry at the risk of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c. Herda has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.