DWIGHT W BIRDWELL.

Specialist Five Dwight W Birdwell, a Native American of the Cherokee tribe, displayed immense bravery during the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive in 1968. Leading his armoured cavalry detachment, Birdwell repulsed a fierce communist assault against Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon. Despite being injured by shrapnel and bullets, Birdwell refused to be evacuated and continued to fight, rallying his fellow troopers and rescuing wounded soldiers. Although initially awarded the Silver Star, Birdwell's commanding officer, General Glenn Otis, advocated for his recognition to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. In 2022, Birdwell finally received the Medal of Honor from President Joe Biden. [Extracted from the article]