Yawn, Terry Lynn
Army Private 1st class
Terry Lynn Yawn, age 20, from Hawkinsville, Georgia, Pulaski county.
Service era: Vietnam
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment
Date of death: Thursday, April 27, 1967
Death details: Bronze Star citation: For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 27 April 1967 Private First Class Yawn distinguished himself while serving as a Grenadier in a squad-size patrol belonging to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, operating near Duc Pho. The squad’s mission was to find the enemy, and then to destroy him by calling in artillery and armed helicopters. It was following an enemy unit of unknown size, attempting to establish definite contact. As it crossed a trench line in pursuit of this force, the enemy opened up with a small arms and automatic weapons fire, pinning the squad down. Private First Class Yawn reacted decisively, running forward to an uncovered position to provide suppressive fire on the enemy. He was mortally wounded in this engagement, but his heroic action had distracted the enemy and allowed the patrol to break contact and move to a location from which armed helicopters and artillery could be directed against the enemy positions. Private First Class Yawn’s dauntless courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Cemetery: Hayneville Baptist Church
Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association