George C. Lang

Destroyed three bunkers while leading his men despite wounds

George Charles Lang was born on April 20, 1947, in Flushing, New York. During the Vietnam War, he served as a specialist fourth class and squad leader in Company A, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.

On February 22, 1969, near Ben Tre, his unit encountered a fortified enemy position. Lang attacked and destroyed three bunkers with grenades and rifle fire, crossing a canal under fire during one assault. He also discovered an ammunition cache. When renewed fire wounded him severely, he continued directing his men until ordered to evacuate.

President Richard Nixon presented Lang with the Medal of Honor at the White House on March 2, 1971. In later life Lang researched the experiences of other Medal of Honor recipients and coauthored the two-volume Medal of Honor Recipients 1863–1994, published in 1995. He and his wife Jacqueline had a daughter, Angela. Lang died on March 16, 2005, in Seaford, New York, and is buried at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury. His award commemorates sustained courage and leadership while wounded.

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. Lang, Company A, was serving as a squad leader when his unit, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission, encountered intense fire from a well-fortifed enemy bunker complex. Sp4c. Lang observed an emplacement from which heavy fire was coming. Unhesitatingly, he assaulted the position and destroyed it with hand grenades and rifle fire.

Observing another emplacement approximately 15 meters to his front, Sp4c. Lang jumped across a canal, moved through heavy enemy fire to within a few feet of the position, and eliminated it, again using hand grenades and rifle fire. Nearby, he discovered a large cache of enemy ammunition. As he maneuvered his squad forward to secure the cache, they came under fire from yet a third bunker. Sp4c. Lang immediately reacted, assaulted this position, and destroyed it with the remainder of his grenades.

After returning to the area of the arms cache, his squad again came under heavy enemy rocket and automatic-weapons fire from three sides and suffered six casualties. Sp4c. Lang was one of those seriously wounded. Although immobilized and in great pain, he continued to direct his men until his evacuation was ordered over his protests.

The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness exhibited by this soldier over an extended period of time were an inspiration to his comrades and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.