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VALOROUS UNIT AWARD
Presented to
The 3rd Brigade (-), 9th Infantry Division comprised of the following Units:
Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division
Battery A, 3rd Battalion,
34th Artillery
2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry
Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry
Company B, 3rd Battalion,
39th Infantry
Company C, 3rd Battalion,
39th Infantry
Company B, 2nd Battalion,
60th Infantry
The citation reads as follows
The 3rd Brigade(-) 9th Infantry Division
distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in military
operations during the period of 1 to 3 February 1968 in the defense of Ben Tre
City in the Republic of Vietnam. When a multi-battalion of Viet Cong force
attacked Ben Tre City with such force that the city’s Republic of Vietnam
defenders could not withstand the assault, the 3rd Brigade assumed the
responsibility of aiding the beleaguered allies and clearing the area of all
communist forces in two days of bitter house-to-house fighting. The gallant
members of the brigade drove the enemy force out of the province capital and
into the open, where air and artillery support could effectively be utilized.
They then pursued the communist aggressors into the rice paddies, driving them
into a disorganized retreat killing 174 of enemy troops. Their heroic effort was
instrumental in thwarting the enemy’s objectives during the TET Offensive. The
men of the 3rd Brigade (minus), 9th Infantry Division display extraordinary
heroism and devotion to duty which are in keeping with the highest traditions of
military service and reflect distinct credit upon them and upon the Armed
Forces of the United States.