Born: September 12, 1947
Chenango Texas
War: Vietnam
Rank: Specialist 5th Class (then
Private First Class), US Army, Headquarters Company, 3d battalion, 60th Infantry,
9th Infantry Division.
Location of action: Ding Tuong Province, Republic
of Vietnam
Date of action: January 10, 1968
Medal received from: President Richard Nixon,
March 1969
Official Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Specialist
5th Class Sasser distinguished himself while assigned
to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. He
was serving as a medical aidman with Company A, 3d Battalion,
on a reconnaissance in force operation. His company was making
an air assault when suddenly it was taken under heavy small
arms, recoilless rifle, machinegun and rocket fire from well
fortified enemy positions on three sides of the landing zone.
During the first few minutes, over 30 casualties were sustained.
Without hesitation, Specialist 5th Class Sasser ran across an open rice paddy
through a hail of fire to assist the wounded. After helping
one man to safety, was painfully wounded in the left shoulder
by fragments of an exploding rocket. Refusing medical attention,
he ran through a barrage of rocket and automatic weapons fire
to aid casualties of the initial attack and, after giving
them urgently needed treatment, continued to search for other
wounded.
Despite two additional wounds immobilizing his legs,
he dragged himself through the mud toward another soldier
100 meters away. Although in agonizing pain and faint from
loss of blood, Specialist 5th Class Sasser reached the man, treated him,
and proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to
crawl 200 meters to relative safety. There he attended their
wounds for fivehours until they were evacuated. Specialist 5th Class Sasser's
extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions
of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself,
his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Of Note:
Clarence Sasser was drafted into the Army and gave up his college deferment. His Vietnam tour
lasted 51 days. When Sasser's military commitment was finished he went back to college as a Chemistry student. He then went to work for an oil refinery for over five years and eventually found satisfaction working at the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
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Clarence
Sasser