Frank A. Herda

Infobox Military Person
name=Frank A. Herda
born= Birth date and age|1947|9|13
died=
placeofbirth=Cleveland, Ohio
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption= Frank A. Herda, Army Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Specialist Fourth Class
commands=
unit=506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
battles=Vietnam War
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Frank A. Herda (born September 13, 1947) is a former 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

Herda joined the Army from his birth city of Cleveland, Ohio, and by June 29, 1968 was serving as a private first class in Company A, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). During an enemy attack on that day, near Dak To in Quang Trang Province, Republic of Vietnam, Herda smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body to protect those around him. He survived the blast, although severely wounded, and was subsequently promoted to specialist fourth class and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Herda is now a published author. His first book, "The Cup of Death: Chronicles of the Dragons of the Magi" (ISBN 978-1432714123), was published on September 9, 2007. The book is of the science fiction/fantasy, sword and sorcery genre. The target audience is ages 9 to 12, however, older readers will enjoy it. The book is available in paperback, hardback, and e-book formats.

Medal of Honor citation

Specialist Herda's 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. Sp4c. Herda (then Pfc.) distinguished himself while serving as a grenadier with Company A. Company A was part of a battalion-size night defensive perimeter when a large enemy force initiated an attack on the friendly units. While other enemy elements provided diversionary fire and indirect weapons fire to the west, a sapper force of approximately 30 men armed with hand grenades and small charges attacked Company A's perimeter from the east. As the sappers were making a last, violent assault, 5 of them charged the position defended by Sp4c. Herda and 2 comrades, 1 of whom was wounded and lay helpless in the bottom of the foxhole. Sp4c. Herda fired at the aggressors until they were within 10 feet of his position and 1 of their grenades landed in the foxhole. He fired 1 last round from his grenade launcher, hitting 1 of the enemy soldiers in the head, and then, with no concern for his safety, Sp4c. Herda immediately covered the blast of the grenade with his body. The explosion wounded him grievously, but his selfless action prevented his 2 comrades from being seriously injured or killed and enabled the remaining defender to kill the other sappers. By his gallantry at the risk of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c. Herda has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

ee also

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

References

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipients (A-L)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = February 27, 2007
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html
accessdate = 2007-07-17

External links

* [http://www.frankherda.com Frank A. Herda's Literary Projects]

Persondata
NAME= Herda, Frank A.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH= September 13, 1947
PLACE OF BIRTH= Cleveland, Ohio
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=