Brian L. Buker

Infobox Military Person
name=Brian L. Buker
born= birth date|1949|11|3
died= death date and age|1970|4|5|1949|11|3
placeofbirth=Benton, Maine
placeofdeath=Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam
placeofburial=


caption=Medal of Honor
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Sergeant
commands=
unit=5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces
battles=Vietnam War
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Brian L. Buker (November 3, 1949 – April 5, 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

Buker joined the Army from Bangor, Maine, and by April 5, 1970 was serving as a Sergeant in Detachment B-55, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces. On that day, in Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam, he single-handedly destroyed one enemy bunker, was seriously wounded, and then destroyed another bunker despite his wounds. Killed later in the battle, Buker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Buker, aged 20 at his death, was buried at Brown Cemetery in his birth city of Benton, Maine.

Medal of Honor citation

Sergeant Buker's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Buker, Detachment B-55, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon adviser of a Vietnamese mobile strike force company during an offensive mission. Sgt. Buker personally led the platoon, cleared a strategically located well-guarded pass, and established the first foothold at the top of what had been an impenetrable mountain fortress. When the platoon came under the intense fire from a determined enemy located in 2 heavily fortified bunkers, and realizing that withdrawal would result in heavy casualties, Sgt. Buker unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, charged through the hail of enemy fire and destroyed the first bunker with hand grenades. While reorganizing his men for the attack on the second bunker, Sgt. Buker was seriously wounded. Despite his wounds and the deadly enemy fire, he crawled forward and destroyed the second bunker. Sgt. Buker refused medical attention and was reorganizing his men to continue the attack when he was mortally wounded. As a direct result of his heroic actions, many casualties were averted, and the assault of the enemy position was successful. Sgt. Buker's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, 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|7028501 Retrieved on 2007-07-31
*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 = 2007-07-31

Persondata
NAME= Buker, Brian L.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH= November 3, 1949
PLACE OF BIRTH= Benton, Maine
DATE OF DEATH= April 5, 1970
PLACE OF DEATH= Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam