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Jon R. Cavaiani

January 20, 2023

Jon Robert Cavaiani (August 2, 1943 – July 29, 2014) 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.

Jon Robert Cavaiani
Cavaiani in 2004
Born(1943-08-02)August 2, 1943
Murphys, County Offaly, Ireland
DiedJuly 29, 2014(2014-07-29) (aged 70)
Stanford, California, United States
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1969–1990
RankSergeant Major
Unit5th Special Forces Group
10th Special Forces Group
MACV-SOG
Delta Force
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Purple Heart

Biography

Cavaiani was born in Murphys, County Offaly, Ireland, and went to England a short time afterwards.[1]

He left England for the United States in 1947, and in 1953 moved to the small farming community of Ballico, California to be with his stepfather, Ugo Cavaiani.

In 1961 Ugo formally adopted Jon and in 1968 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States. In 1969, Cavaiani joined the US Army. In 1970, he was deployed to Vietnam with the Special Forces and by June 4, 1971, was serving as a Staff Sergeant in Task Force 1 Advisory Element, USARV Training Advisory Group. This unit was formerly known as Command and Control North, MACV-SOG. On that day, in the Republic of Vietnam, his platoon came under intense enemy attack at Hill 950. Cavaiani organized the unit's defense and, when evacuation by helicopter became necessary, he voluntarily stayed on the ground and directed the aircraft, which successfully evacuated most of the platoon. Cavaiani and a small group were left behind. During a major enemy attack the next morning, he ordered the remaining men to escape while he stayed and provided suppressive fire to cover their retreat. He was captured and spent the next two years as a prisoner of war.[2]

Jon R. Cavaiani was released during Operation Homecoming in March 1973. President Gerald Ford presented Cavaiani with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony on December 12, 1974.

His other assignments included tours of duty in the Middle East, South America, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Cavaiani spent three years in Berlin, Germany as the Senior Operations Sergeant Major for British, French and U.S. Forces. From August 1980 to May 1983, Cavaiani served with the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, followed by service with the 11th Special Forces Group at Fort Meade, Maryland from summer 1983 to summer 1984.

From 1984 to 1989, Cavaiani was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta (1st SFOD-D), or Delta Force at Fort Bragg, North Carolina culminating as the unit Command Sergeant-Major. He retired from the Army in May 1990.

Upon retiring, Cavaiani served as the 6th region director of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

He graduated with honors from the culinary arts program in Columbia, California, where he and his wife Barbara lived.

His numerous military decorations include the nation's highest award for valor, the Army Medal of Honor, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with 'V' for Valor device and one Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 'V' for Valor device and three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Additionally, he was entitled to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Pathfinder Badge and Master Parachutist Badge.

Cavaiani was a freefall and static line jumpmaster with over 5,000 jumps all over the world.

Cavaiani died on July 29, 2014, four days before his 71st birthday, in Stanford, California.[3] He had myelodysplastic syndrome.[4] He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Military awards

Medal of Honor citation

 

Staff Sergeant Cavaiani's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

S/Sgt. Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory. On the morning of 4 June 1971, the entire camp came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire from a superior size enemy force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani acted with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp's perimeter directing the platoon's fire and rallying the platoon in a desperate fight for survival. S/Sgt. Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons. When the entire platoon was to be evacuated, S/Sgt. Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone. S/Sgt. Cavaiani was able to direct the first 3 helicopters in evacuating a major portion of the platoon. Due to intense increase in enemy fire, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their defenses. On the morning of 5 June, a heavy ground fog restricted visibility. The superior size enemy force launched a major ground attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small force. The enemy force advanced in 2 ranks, first firing a heavy volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down. He ordered the remaining platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover fire. With one last courageous exertion, S/Sgt. Cavaiani recovered a machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping motion along the two ranks of advancing enemy soldiers. Through S/Sgt. Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape. While inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was wounded numerous times. S/Sgt. Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.[2]

President Gerald Ford presented Cavaiani with the medal during a ceremony on December 12, 1974.

Cavaiani later reached the rank of sergeant major before retiring from the Army in 1990.

See also

References

  1. ^ NY Times Obituary
  2. ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients – Vietnam (A-L)". United States Army Center of Military History. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  3. ^ Medal, Congressional. . Sacbee.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  4. ^ "MoH Recipient Awaits Marrow Transplant". Military.com. Retrieved 31 July 2014.

External links

  • Jon R. Cavaiani at IMDb
  • "Jon Cavaiani". American Valor – Stories of Valor. GWETA. Retrieved 31 July 2007.
  • "Full List of Living Recipients". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 31 July 2007.
  • "Interview with Cavaiani". Pritzker Military Museum & Library. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  • ANC Explorer

January 20, 2023
cavaiani, robert, cavaiani, august, 1943, july, 2014, united, states, army, soldier, recipient, united, states, military, highest, decoration, medal, honor, actions, vietnam, robert, cavaianicavaiani, 2004born, 1943, august, 1943murphys, county, offaly, irelan. Jon Robert Cavaiani August 2 1943 July 29 2014 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 Jon Robert CavaianiCavaiani in 2004Born 1943 08 02 August 2 1943Murphys County Offaly IrelandDiedJuly 29 2014 2014 07 29 aged 70 Stanford California United StatesBuriedArlington National CemeteryAllegianceUnited StatesService wbr branchUnited States ArmyYears of service1969 1990RankSergeant MajorUnit5th Special Forces Group10th Special Forces GroupMACV SOGDelta ForceBattles warsVietnam WarAwardsMedal of HonorLegion of MeritBronze StarPurple Heart Contents 1 Biography 2 Military awards 2 1 Medal of Honor citation 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksBiography EditCavaiani was born in Murphys County Offaly Ireland and went to England a short time afterwards 1 He left England for the United States in 1947 and in 1953 moved to the small farming community of Ballico California to be with his stepfather Ugo Cavaiani In 1961 Ugo formally adopted Jon and in 1968 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States In 1969 Cavaiani joined the US Army In 1970 he was deployed to Vietnam with the Special Forces and by June 4 1971 was serving as a Staff Sergeant in Task Force 1 Advisory Element USARV Training Advisory Group This unit was formerly known as Command and Control North MACV SOG On that day in the Republic of Vietnam his platoon came under intense enemy attack at Hill 950 Cavaiani organized the unit s defense and when evacuation by helicopter became necessary he voluntarily stayed on the ground and directed the aircraft which successfully evacuated most of the platoon Cavaiani and a small group were left behind During a major enemy attack the next morning he ordered the remaining men to escape while he stayed and provided suppressive fire to cover their retreat He was captured and spent the next two years as a prisoner of war 2 Jon R Cavaiani was released during Operation Homecoming in March 1973 President Gerald Ford presented Cavaiani with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony on December 12 1974 His other assignments included tours of duty in the Middle East South America Europe and Southeast Asia Cavaiani spent three years in Berlin Germany as the Senior Operations Sergeant Major for British French and U S Forces From August 1980 to May 1983 Cavaiani served with the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Devens Massachusetts followed by service with the 11th Special Forces Group at Fort Meade Maryland from summer 1983 to summer 1984 From 1984 to 1989 Cavaiani was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta 1st SFOD D or Delta Force at Fort Bragg North Carolina culminating as the unit Command Sergeant Major He retired from the Army in May 1990 Upon retiring Cavaiani served as the 6th region director of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society He graduated with honors from the culinary arts program in Columbia California where he and his wife Barbara lived His numerous military decorations include the nation s highest award for valor the Army Medal of Honor Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal with V for Valor device and one Oak Leaf Cluster Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal with V for Valor device and three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Prisoner of War Medal Additionally he was entitled to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge the Pathfinder Badge and Master Parachutist Badge Cavaiani was a freefall and static line jumpmaster with over 5 000 jumps all over the world Cavaiani died on July 29 2014 four days before his 71st birthday in Stanford California 3 He had myelodysplastic syndrome 4 He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery Military awards Edit Combat Infantryman Badge Master Parachutist Badge Pathfinder Badge Special Forces Tab U S Army Special Forces Combat Service Identification Badge Medal of Honor Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal with V device and oak leaf cluster Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal with V device and 3 oak leaf clusters Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster Prisoner of War Medal Army Presidential Unit Citation Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Good Conduct Medal with clasp Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal with 4 campaign stars Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon Army Service Ribbon Military Merit Medal Vietnam Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm Armed Forces Honor Medal Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Republic of Vietnam Campaign MedalMedal of Honor citation Edit Staff Sergeant Cavaiani s official Medal of Honor citation reads S Sgt Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy held territory On the morning of 4 June 1971 the entire camp came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms automatic weapons rocket propelled grenade and mortar fire from a superior size enemy force S Sgt Cavaiani acted with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp s perimeter directing the platoon s fire and rallying the platoon in a desperate fight for survival S Sgt Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons When the entire platoon was to be evacuated S Sgt Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone S Sgt Cavaiani was able to direct the first 3 helicopters in evacuating a major portion of the platoon Due to intense increase in enemy fire S Sgt Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their defenses On the morning of 5 June a heavy ground fog restricted visibility The superior size enemy force launched a major ground attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small force The enemy force advanced in 2 ranks first firing a heavy volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force S Sgt Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down He ordered the remaining platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover fire With one last courageous exertion S Sgt Cavaiani recovered a machine gun stood up completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire directed at him and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping motion along the two ranks of advancing enemy soldiers Through S Sgt Cavaiani s valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape While inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force S Sgt Cavaiani was wounded numerous times S Sgt Cavaiani s conspicuous gallantry extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U S Army 2 President Gerald Ford presented Cavaiani with the medal during a ceremony on December 12 1974 Cavaiani later reached the rank of sergeant major before retiring from the Army in 1990 See also Edit Biography portalList of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War List of Delta Force membersReferences Edit NY Times Obituary a b Medal of Honor recipients Vietnam A L United States Army Center of Military History 3 August 2009 Retrieved 21 September 2009 Medal Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Jon R Cavaiani Passes Away at 70 PR Newswire The Sacramento Bee Sacbee com Archived from the original on 29 July 2014 Retrieved 29 July 2014 MoH Recipient Awaits Marrow Transplant Military com Retrieved 31 July 2014 External links EditJon R Cavaiani at IMDb Jon Cavaiani American Valor Stories of Valor GWETA Retrieved 31 July 2007 Full List of Living Recipients Congressional Medal of Honor Society Retrieved 31 July 2007 Interview with Cavaiani Pritzker Military Museum amp Library Retrieved 30 April 2014 ANC Explorer Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jon R Cavaiani amp oldid 1126175973, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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