Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division
Place and date: Giao Duc District, Dinh Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 29 December 1968
Entered service at: Louisville, Kentucky
Born: 3 November 1947, Whitesville, Kentucky
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Nash distinguished himself while serving
as a grenadier with Company B, in Giao Duc District. When an ambush patrol of
which he was a member suddenly came under intense attack before reaching its
destination, he was the first to return the enemy fire. Taking an exposed
location, Pfc. Nash suppressed the hostile fusillade with a rapid series of
rounds from his grenade launcher, enabling artillery fire to be adjusted on the
enemy. After the foe had been routed, his small element continued to the ambush
site where he established a position with 3 fellow soldiers on a narrow dike.
Shortly past midnight, while Pfc. Nash and a comrade kept watch and the 2 other
men took their turn sleeping, an enemy grenade wounded 2 soldiers in the
adjacent position. Seconds later, Pfc. Nash saw another grenade land only a few
feet from his own position. Although he could have escaped harm by rolling down
the other side of the dike, he shouted a warning to his comrades and leaped upon
the lethal explosive. Absorbing the blast with his body, he saved the lives of
the 3 men in the area at the sacrifice of his life. By his gallantry at the cost
of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service, Pfc. Nash has
reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.