Denzil Dale Pettit, age 21, from Bloomington, California, San Bernardino county.
Service era: Vietnam
Schools: Colton Union High
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment
Date of death: Tuesday, August 2, 1966
Death details: Silver Star citation: For gallantry in action: Private First Class Pettit distinguished himself on 2 August 1966 while serving as a member of the Reconnaissance Platoon, 2/35th Infantry, conducting a search and destroy operation in the Ia Drang Valley of South Vietnam. While moving toward their objective, Private First Class Pettit’s unit received intense hostile fire from a large enemy force. After forming a defensive perimeter, the platoon leader was informed that there were four wounded men lying outside the perimeter. The platoon leader gave Private First Class Pettit and three other men the mission to rescue their fallen comrades but, because of the intense hostile machine gun fire, they were forced back. As the fight continued, Private First Class Pettit, with complete disregard for his safety while receiving hostile fire, moved throughout the perimeter rendering first aid to the wounded and distributing ammunition. Later in the day he again volunteered to go out to the wounded but was driven back by the enemy fire. As darkness fell and a relief force arrived, Private First Class Pettit led a squad from the relief force to the casualties outside the perimeter. While moving toward the wounded, the enemy opened fire on the squad and Private First Class Pettit was mortally wounded. His extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association
