Robert J. Pruden

He drew hostile fire to save his wounded reconnaissance team

Robert Joseph Pruden earned the Medal of Honor in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam, in November 1969. A staff sergeant in Company G, 75th Infantry, Americal Division, he led a six-man reconnaissance team establishing an ambush.

He graduated from Harding High School in 1967 and then enlisted in the Army. After infantry training, he completed the Non-Commissioned Officer Indoctrination Course at Fort Benning in October 1968, followed by Ranger training in Georgia. He went to Vietnam in March 1969 and joined Company G, whose small patrols gathered intelligence beyond the main American positions.

When enemy fire compromised the position, Pruden left cover and advanced while firing to draw attention away from his men. Repeatedly wounded, he continued until he fell near the enemy positions. He then directed his team’s defense and called evacuation helicopters. His actions enabled the other soldiers to withdraw safely, but cost his life.

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 9, 1949, Pruden received the medal posthumously. President Richard M. Nixon presented it to his family on April 22, 1971. He is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Pruden, Company G, distinguished himself while serving as a reconnaissance team leader during an ambush mission. The six-man team was inserted by helicopter into enemy-controlled territory to establish an ambush position and to obtain information concerning enemy movements. As the team moved into the preplanned area, S/Sgt. Pruden deployed his men into two groups on the opposite sides of a well-used trail. As the groups were establishing their defensive positions, one member of the team was trapped in the open by the heavy fire from an enemy squad. Realizing that the ambush position had been compromised, S/Sgt. Pruden directed his team to open fire on the enemy force. Immediately, the team came under heavy fire from a second enemy element. SSgt. Pruden, with full knowledge of the extreme danger involved, left his concealed position and, firing as he ran, advanced toward the enemy to draw the hostile fire. He was seriously wounded twice but continued his attack until he fell for a third time, in front of the enemy positions. S/Sgt. Pruden's actions resulted in several enemy casualties and withdrawal of the remaining enemy force. Although grievously wounded, he directed his men into defensive positions and called for evacuation helicopters, which safely withdrew the members of the team. S/Sgt. Pruden's outstanding courage, selfless concern for the welfare of his men, and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.