SPROULE, WILLIAM C., JR.
SPROULE, WILLIAM C., JR.
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
Company B, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne
Brigade,
Date of Action: May 10, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William
C. Sproule, Jr., First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary
heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed
hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 3d
Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. First Lieutenant
Sproule distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 May 1968
as a platoon leader of an airborne infantry company conducting a combat
operation. His platoon made heavy contact with a large North Vietnamese force.
During the assault on the enemy, Lieutenant Sproule moved out ahead of his men
to fire more accurately on the insurgents and to adjust supporting artillery
fire. As he advanced, he was hit in the chest by a burst of enemy automatic
rifle fire. Ignoring his wounds, he moved to his point man who had been pinned
down during the initial exchange of fire. Lieutenant Sproule provided covering
fire for the man as he crawled back to join the rest of the platoon. He then
adjusted artillery fire on the North Vietnamese positions, bringing it so close
to his own location that he was wounded several times by the shrapnel. An enemy
machine gun to his front began placing deadly fire on his platoon, and he
attempted to direct the artillery on the emplacement to destroy it. This
couldn't be accomplished without moving his platoon back. Rather than risk more
casualties to his troops in a withdrawal, Lieutenant Sproule assaulted the
position alone. He charged to within five meters of the gun, firing on the enemy
the entire way, before he was mortally wounded by a burst of heavy fire from the
weapon. First Lieutenant Sproule's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty,
at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United
States Army.
HQ US
Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3685 (August 1, 1968)
Home Town: Folcroft, Pennsylvania
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