Paul Ronald Lambers

Paul Ronald Lambers
Army Medal of Honor
Born	June 25, 1942 Holland, Michigan
Died	December 1, 1970 (aged 28)
Place of burial	his body was never recovered
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1965 - 1970
Rank	Staff Sergeant
Unit	27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Medal of Honor Bronze Star Purple Heart

Paul Ronald Lambers (June 25, 1942 – December 1, 1970) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Biography

Lambers joined the Army from his birth city of Holland, Michigan in 1965,^[1] and by August 20, 1968 was serving as a Sergeant in Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. During a firefight on that day, in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Lambers took command after the platoon leader was wounded. For his conspicuous leadership during the battle he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and awarded the Medal of Honor in December 1969.

Lambers drowned in Lake Michigan two years later at age 28; his body was never recovered.

Medal of Honor citation

Staff Sergeant Lambers' official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. (then Sgt.) Lambers distinguished himself in action while serving with the 3d platoon, Company A. The unit had established a night defensive position astride a suspected enemy infiltration route, when it was attacked by an estimated Viet Cong battalion. During the initial enemy onslaught, the platoon leader fell seriously wounded and S/Sgt. Lambers assumed command of the platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, S/Sgt. Lambers left his covered position, secured the platoon radio and moved to the command post to direct the defense. When his radio became inoperative due to enemy action, S/Sgt. Lambers crossed the fire swept position to secure the 90mm recoilless rifle crew's radio in order to re-establish communications. Upon discovering that the 90mm recoilless rifle was not functioning, S/Sgt. Lambers assisted in the repair of the weapon and directed canister fire at point-blank range against the attacking enemy who had breached the defensive wire of the position. When the weapon was knocked out by enemy fire, he single-handedly repulsed a penetration of the position by detonating claymore mines and throwing grenades into the midst of the attackers, killing 4 more of the Viet Cong with well aimed hand grenades. S/Sgt. Lambers maintained command of the platoon elements by moving from position to position under the hail of enemy fire, providing assistance where the assault was the heaviest and by his outstanding example inspiring his men to the utmost efforts of courage. He displayed great skill and valor throughout the 5-hour battle by personally directing artillery and helicopter fire, placing them at times within 5 meters of the defensive position. He repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire at great risk to his own life in order to redistribute ammunition and to care for seriously wounded comrades and to move them to sheltered positions. S/Sgt. Lambers' superb leadership, professional skill and magnificent courage saved the lives of his comrades, resulted in the virtual annihilation of a vastly superior enemy force and were largely instrumental in thwarting an enemy offensive against Tay Ninh City. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.^[2]

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

Notes

1. Service Profile
2. "Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients (A-L)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. February 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-11.

References

• "Paul Ronald Lambers (1942 - 1970)". Find a Grave. September 11, 2003. Retrieved 2007-07-11.