Basil L. Plumley

Basil L. Plumley (born 1920 in West Virginia) is most famous for his actions as a Sergeant-Major of the US Army's 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang (1965). Plumley is a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He made all 4 combat jumps with the 82nd Airborne Division in WWII and one in Korea with the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major.

He was portrayed by Sam Elliott in the film, "We Were Soldiers".

Awards

*Combat Infantryman Badge (3rd Award)
*Master Parachutist Badge with 5 Combat Jump Stars
*Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster
*Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster
*Purple Heart with three Oak Leaf Clusters
*Army Presidential Unit Citation
*Army Good Conduct Medal
*American Campaign Medal
*European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with arrowhead device and 1 silver and 3 bronze campaign stars (to signify 8 campaigns)
*World War II Victory Medal
*Army of Occupation Medal
*National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
*Korean Service Medal with one Arrowhead Device and three campaign stars
*Vietnam Service Medal with eight campaign stars
*Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
*Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm
*United Nations Service Medal for Korea
*Vietnam Campaign Medal
*Republic of Korea War Service Medal
*Order of Saint Maurice

ee also

*Hal Moore
*List of Korean War veterans who are recipients of the Bronze Star

References

* [http://www.us7thcavalry.com/ 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Association]
*"We were Soldiers once, and young". Lt. Gen H.G. Moore Ret. & Joe. L. Galloway (Airlife 1994)