Harold Bascom Durham, Jr.

Infobox Military Person
name=Harold Bascom Durham, Jr.
born= birth date|1942|10|12
died= death date and age|1967|10|17|1942|10|12
placeofbirth=Rocky Mount, North Carolina
placeofdeath=Republic of Vietnam
placeofburial=


caption=Army Medal of Honor
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Second Lieutenant
commands=
unit=15th Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
battles=Vietnam War
awards=Medal of Honor Bronze Star (2) Purple Heart
relations=
laterwork=

Harold Bascom Durham, Jr. (October 12, 1942 – October 17, 1967) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Biography

Durham joined the Army from Atlanta, Georgia, and by October 17, 1967 was serving as a second lieutenant in Battery C, 6th Battalion, 15th Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. During a firefight on that day in the Republic of Vietnam, Durham repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire in order to direct the artillery bombardment, even after being severely wounded. He was killed during the battle and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Durham, aged 25 at his death, was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Tifton, Georgia.

Medal of Honor citation

Second Lieutenant Durham's official Medal of Honor citation reads::2d Lt. Durham, Artillery, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty while assigned to Battery C. 2d Lt. Durham was serving as a forward observer with Company D, 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry during a battalion reconnaissance-in-force mission. At approximately 1015 hours contact was made with an enemy force concealed in well-camouflaged positions and fortified bunkers. 2d Lt. Durham immediately moved into an exposed position to adjust the supporting artillery fire onto the insurgents. During a brief lull in the battle he administered emergency first aid to the wounded in spite of heavy enemy sniper fire directed toward him. Moments later, as enemy units assaulted friendly positions, he learned that Company A, bearing the brunt of the attack, had lost its forward observer. While he was moving to replace the wounded observer, the enemy detonated a Claymore mine, severely wounding him in the head and impairing his vision. In spite of the intense pain, he continued to direct the supporting artillery fire and to employ his individual weapon in support of the hard pressed infantrymen. As the enemy pressed their attack, 2d Lt. Durham called for supporting fire to be placed almost directly on his position. Twice the insurgents were driven back, leaving many dead and wounded behind. 2d Lt. Durham was then taken to a secondary defensive position. Even in his extremely weakened condition, he continued to call artillery fire onto the enemy. He refused to seek cover and instead positioned himself in a small clearing which offered a better vantage point from which to adjust the fire. Suddenly, he was severely wounded a second time by enemy machine gun fire. As he lay on the ground near death, he saw two Viet Cong approaching, shooting the defenseless wounded men. With his last effort, 2d Lt. Durham shouted a warning to a nearby soldier who immediately killed the insurgents. 2d Lt. Durham died moments later, still grasping the radio handset. 2d Lt. Durham's gallant actions in close combat with an enemy force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon 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

*findagrave|7028130 Retrieved on 2007-07-30
*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - Vietnam (A-L)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16, 2007
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html
accessdate = 2007-07-30

Persondata
NAME= Durham, Harold Bascom, Jr.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=