Daniel Henninger today on Opinion Journal urges us to visit a national cemetery on Memorial Day. I followed his link to a directory of Veterans cemeteries, which located one in Raleigh, on Rock Quarry Road.
The webpage for this particular cemetery listed only one “Notable Burial” in Raleigh, which was that of Vietnam Veteran William Maud Bryant. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor while serving in the Army Special Forces. I then found the text of his medal citation, and his bravery staggered me:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Bryant, assigned to Company A, distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer of Civilian Irregular Defense Group Company 321, 2d Battalion, 3d Mobile Strike Force Command, during combat operations.
The battalion came under heavy fire and became surrounded by the elements of 3 enemy regiments. Sfc. Bryant displayed extraordinary heroism throughout the succeeding 34 hours of incessant attack as he moved throughout the company position heedless of the intense hostile fire while establishing and improving the defensive perimeter, directing fire during critical phases of the battle, distributing ammunition, assisting the wounded and providing the leadership and inspirational example of courage to his men.
When a helicopter drop of ammunition was made to resupply the beleaguered force, Sfc. Bryant with complete disregard for his safety ran through the heavy enemy fire to retrieve the scattered ammunition boxes and distributed needed ammunition to his men.
As the siege continued, Sfc. Bryant organized and led a patrol in a daring attempt to break through the enemy encirclement. The patrol had advanced some 200 meters by heavy fighting when it was pinned down by the intense automatic weapons fire from heavily fortified bunkers and Sfc. Bryant was severely wounded. Despite his wounds he rallied his men, called for helicopter gunship support, and directed heavy suppressive fire upon the enemy Positions. Following the last gunship attack, Sfc. Bryant fearlessly charged an enemy automatic weapons position, he overran it, and singlehandedly destroyed its 3 defenders. Inspired by his heroic example, his men renewed their attack on the entrenched enemy.
And that’s not all of it, either. Go read it. And then take Henninger’s advice, and remember why we call men like William Maud Bryant “our finest.”
