Robert Joseph Pruden (September 9, 1949 – November 20, 1969) 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.
Staff Sergeant Pruden's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Pruden, Company G, distinguished himself while serving as a reconnaissance team leader during an ambush mission. The 6-man team was inserted by helicopter into enemy-controlled territory to establish an ambush position and to obtain information concerning enemy movements. As the team moved into the preplanned area, S/Sgt. Pruden deployed his men into 2 groups on the opposite sides of a well used trail. As the groups were establishing their defensive positions, 1 member of the team was trapped in the open by the heavy fire from an enemy squad. Realizing that the ambush position had been compromised, S/Sgt. Pruden directed his team to open fire on the enemy force. Immediately, the team came under heavy fire from a second enemy element. S/Sgt. Pruden, with full knowledge of the extreme danger involved, left his concealed position and, firing as he ran, advanced toward the enemy to draw the hostile fire. He was seriously wounded twice but continued his attack until he fell for a third time, in front of the enemy positions. S/Sgt. Pruden's actions resulted in several enemy casualties and withdrawal of the remaining enemy force. Although grievously wounded, he directed his men into defensive positions and called for evacuation helicopters, which safely withdrew the members of the team. S/Sgt. Pruden's outstanding courage, selfless concern for the welfare of his men, and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
robert, pruden, robert, joseph, pruden, september, 1949, november, 1969, united, states, army, soldier, recipient, united, states, military, highest, decoration, medal, honor, actions, vietnam, robert, joseph, prudenarmy, medal, honorborn, 1949, september, 194. Robert Joseph Pruden September 9 1949 November 20 1969 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 Robert Joseph PrudenArmy Medal of HonorBorn 1949 09 09 September 9 1949Saint Paul Minnesota USDiedNovember 20 1969 1969 11 20 aged 20 Quang Ngai Province Republic of VietnamPlace of burialFort Snelling National Cemetery Minneapolis MinnesotaAllegianceUnited States of AmericaService wbr branchUnited States ArmyYears of service1967 1969RankStaff SergeantUnit75th Ranger Infantry Regiment Airborne Americal DivisionBattles warsVietnam War AwardsMedal of HonorPurple Heart Contents 1 Biography 2 Medal of Honor citation 3 See also 4 ReferencesBiography EditPruden joined the Army from Minneapolis Minnesota in 1967 1 and by the time of his death was serving as a staff sergeant in the 75th Ranger Infantry Regiment Airborne Americal Division On that day in Quang Ngai Province of the Republic of Vietnam Pruden was killed in a firefight with enemy forces For his actions during the battle he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on November 20 1969 Pruden aged 20 at his death was buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery Minneapolis Minnesota Medal of Honor citation Edit nbsp Pruden s grave marker at Fort Snelling National CemeteryStaff Sergeant Pruden s official Medal of Honor citation reads For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty S Sgt Pruden Company G distinguished himself while serving as a reconnaissance team leader during an ambush mission The 6 man team was inserted by helicopter into enemy controlled territory to establish an ambush position and to obtain information concerning enemy movements As the team moved into the preplanned area S Sgt Pruden deployed his men into 2 groups on the opposite sides of a well used trail As the groups were establishing their defensive positions 1 member of the team was trapped in the open by the heavy fire from an enemy squad Realizing that the ambush position had been compromised S Sgt Pruden directed his team to open fire on the enemy force Immediately the team came under heavy fire from a second enemy element S Sgt Pruden with full knowledge of the extreme danger involved left his concealed position and firing as he ran advanced toward the enemy to draw the hostile fire He was seriously wounded twice but continued his attack until he fell for a third time in front of the enemy positions S Sgt Pruden s actions resulted in several enemy casualties and withdrawal of the remaining enemy force Although grievously wounded he directed his men into defensive positions and called for evacuation helicopters which safely withdrew the members of the team S Sgt Pruden s outstanding courage selfless concern for the welfare of his men and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself his unit and the U S Army See also Edit nbsp Biography portalList of Medal of Honor recipients List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam WarReferences Edit Service Profile Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients Medal of Honor citations United States Army Center of Military History October 3 2003 Archived from the original on 2008 04 24 Retrieved 2007 06 25 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert J Pruden amp oldid 1176761192, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
