Bill Moriarty was just 29 years old in the summer of 1967 when the young Marine captain was among those tasked with leading a wave of Vietnamese troops against a stronghold of more than 1,200 Viet Cong.
They were met by deadly mortar, rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire, as Moriarty and the third wave of Vietnamese Marines entered the battle.
The heroic actions this Van Buren, Mo., resident showed that day earned Moriarty both the Silver Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
He was one of four veterans inducted Monday onto the Wall of Valor at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.
The Wall of Valor ceremony is part of the weeklong National Salute to Veteran Patients, which concludes Friday with the Valentines for Veterans concert. The event will feature Shenandoah at the Black River Coliseum.
Also honored Monday were the late Joe Wilson, a World War II veteran whose family comes from Dudley, Mo., and two other Vietnam veterans, Wayne Renegar of Willow Springs, Mo., and Gary Hirsch of Jonesboro, Ark.
The Wall of Valor is unique to the Poplar Bluff VA, said medical center director Patricia Hall.
"The Wall of Valor shows we collectively understand the debt we owe America's veterans, and we look for ways to demonstrate our gratitude," Hall said. "Think about what you know about each of these conflicts. Ask yourself if you would have wanted to be in their shoes. Each of these individuals answered their country's call and each paid a price to do so."
Moriarty is reluctant to accept praise for his actions on July 30 and 31, near Lai Cay, Vietnam. They are described in his award nomination as acting with complete disregard for his own safety as he maneuvered aggressively, keeping both superiors and subordinates informed as he directed fire and called for artillery.
"My belief, and this is important to me, is it's a privilege really to serve this great nation. Every veteran knows that," said 81-year-old Moriarty. "There's no such thing as glory in war. There's no such thing. There are noble warriors. We didn't have a choice."
The brave people during Operation Coronado II were the helicopter pilots that had to land under constant heavy fire to evacuate seriously wounded people, said Moriarty. More than 1,000 men combined from both forces were wounded or killed during the operation, he said.
"Just because you don't get a medal, that doesn't mean anything," Moriarty said. "Somebody had to take the time to think I did a good job... There are a lot of people who do far more and don't receive anything."
Renegar was a door gunner on the same types of helicopters that evacuated wounded from Moriarty's position in Operation Coronado II.
Renegar was recognized for his actions on Dec. 14, 1969, northwest of Khe Sanh. The UH-1H helicopter was tasked that day with extracting a reconnaissance team that had made contact with a superior size Viet Cong force.
"Although the helicopter received two hits, one causing severe damage to the tail rotor and the other striking one of the main rotor blades, Specialist Renegar continued to work calmly and efficiently," his award documentations say.
While the helicopter was forced to land deep in hostile territory, Renegar's actions were instrumental to the complete success of the mission.
Renegar received the Bronze Star, as well as the Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Army Commendation Medal and the Air Medal with "V" device.
Hirsch was a medic in December 1969, when his company came under heavy fire while on a reconnaissance mission.
Though wounded himself, Hirsch exposed himself to intense hostile fire to aid his fallen comrades.
"His quick response was credited with saving the lives of two of the wounded men," according to award documentation. "Private First Class Hirsch's exceptional courage, selfless actions and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the traditions of the military service ..."
Wilson, an Army private, received the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy.
His actions occurred on Sept. 14, 1948, during the Rhineland Campaign in the European Theater of Operations.