William Maud Bryant was a Sergeant First Class, serving with the Army’s 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Division, Company A. He was born in Cochran, Georgia in 1933, and died on 24 Mar 1969 in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. Sergeant Bryant was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions that day in Long Khanh Province.
“I hope that his name is uttered in a whisper. I hope that everyone who reads this recognizes true greatness. …. Slow salute, at attention, honored to stand there and know of his life and sacrifice.”
Black History Month
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William Maud Bryant
The citation accompanying Sfc. Bryant’s medal is reprinted below. It was taken from the website of the United States Army Center of Military History.
Medal Of Honor
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Sfc. Bryant, assigned to Company A, distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer of Civilian Irregular Defense Group Company 321, 2d Battalion, 3d Mobile Strike Force Command, during combat operations.
The battalion came under heavy fire and became surrounded by the elements of 3 enemy regiments. Sfc. Bryant displayed extraordinary heroism throughout the succeeding 34 hours of incessant attack as he moved throughout the company position heedless of the intense hostile fire while establishing and improving the defensive perimeter, directing fire during critical phases of the battle, distributing ammunition, assisting the wounded, and providing the leadership and inspirational example of courage to his men.
“Despite his wounds, … Sfc. Bryant fearlessly charged an enemy automatic weapons position, overrunning it, and single-handedly destroying its 3 defenders.”
When a helicopter drop of ammunition was made to re-supply the beleaguered force, Sfc. Bryant with complete disregard for his safety ran through the heavy enemy fire to retrieve the scattered ammunition boxes and distributed needed ammunition to his men. During a lull in the intense fighting, Sfc. Bryant led a patrol outside the perimeter to obtain information of the enemy.
The patrol came under intense automatic weapons fire and was pinned down. Sfc. Bryant single-handedly repulsed 1 enemy attack on his small force and by his heroic action inspired his men to fight off other assaults.
Seeing a wounded enemy soldier some distance from the patrol location, Sfc. Bryant crawled forward alone under heavy fire to retrieve the soldier for intelligence purposes. Finding that the enemy soldier had expired, Sfc. Bryant crawled back to his patrol and led his men back to the company position where he again took command of the defense.
As the siege continued, Sfc. Bryant organized and led a patrol in a daring attempt to break through the enemy encirclement. The patrol had advanced some 200 meters by heavy fighting when it was pinned down by the intense automatic weapons fire from heavily fortified bunkers and Sfc. Bryant was severely wounded. Despite his wounds he rallied his men, called for helicopter gunship support, and directed heavy suppressive fire upon the enemy positions.
Following the last gunship attack, Sfc. Bryant fearlessly charged an enemy automatic weapons position, overrunning it, and single-handedly destroying its 3 defenders. Inspired by his heroic example, his men renewed their attack on the entrenched enemy. While regrouping his small force for the final assault against the enemy, Sfc. Bryant fell mortally wounded by an enemy rocket.
Sfc. Bryant’s selfless concern for his comrades, at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Col. Derek Oaks, USAF (ret.) said, “That is an amazing story. I’ve never read the citation of CMOH recipient that was not impressive, but this was not a single act of heroism. This was a prolonged series of courageous leadership actions instead of a knee-jerk reaction to save others. He had to think of his next actions on multiple occasions, and in each occasion his character as a soldier, leader, and person proved his mettle as an extraordinary man.”
“I hope he had children to pass on that bloodline. I hope that his name is uttered in a whisper. I hope that everyone who reads this recognizes true greatness. In 34 hours, he accomplished more for the benefit of man than many people do in a lifetime. That we all could personally know heroes like him. Slow salute, at attention, honored to stand there and know of his life and sacrifice.”
This post has been updated to include the comments by Col. Derek Oaks.
