THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow marine. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…

Dear CWO Gerald Seybold, Thank you for your service as a Marine Air/Ground Task Force Intelligence Officer. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is another new year. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

May America never forget your sacrifice and the sacrifices of so many others!
May this remembrance find you in the eternal Holy Kingdom!

Gerald Calvin Seybold
Date of death: April 28, 1971
Place of Birth: Michigan, Detroit
Home of record: Concord New Hampshire
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Gerald Calvin Seybold (MCSN: 0-106332), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Target Information Officer with the Intelligence Section, THIRD Marine Division, attached to the United States Air Force Twentieth Tactical Air Support Squadron in connection with operations against the enemy. On 11 November 1966, Second Lieutenant Seybold launched as Aerial Observer aboard an O-1 aircraft along with an Air Controller who was assigned the mission of directing Mariner attack aircraft against a well concealed and heavily defended North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun emplacement. Subsequently, one of the aircraft sustained extensive damage from enemy ground fire and the pilot was forced to eject over enemy infested territory. Observing approximately sixty enemy soldiers converging on the downed Marine pilot, Second Lieutenant Seybold's pilot made several low passes over the area, despite intense small arms and automatic weapons fire. Displaying bold initiative and resourcefulness, he delivered accurate M-16 rifle fire during each low level pass in an attempt to prevent the enemy from capturing the pilot. As a result of his suppressive fire, eight enemy soldiers were killed. Demonstrating exemplary presence of mind, he withheld his fire on the fourth pass to avoid possible injury to his comrade when he observed that the enemy had captured the Marine. By his courage, steadfast determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Second Lieutenant Seybold upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Action Date: April 28, 1971

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Company: Intelligence Section

Division: 3d Marine Division

Distinguished Flying Cross


Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Gerald Calvin Seybold (MCSN: 0-106332), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the Aerial Observer Unit, Headquarters, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the morning of 20 October 1970, Captain Seybold launched as an Aerial Observer aboard an OV-10 Bronco aircraft assigned the mission of directing the close air support for two Civilian Irregular Defense Group companies which were heavily engaged in combat with elements of two North Vietnamese Army battalions in the vicinity of Thuong Duc in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he established radio contact with the beleaguered Vietnamese and was informed that their units were on a plateau with their backs to a two thousand, three hundred foot drop to the valley below and that they were under intense rocket, mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from enemy positions on all three sides which cut off all avenues of escape. Despite heavy rains, a low cloud cover which obscured mountains in the area, and the difficulty of maneuvering the aircraft in the darkness over the rugged terrain, Captain Seybold, undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile fire directed at his Bronco, alertly observed and reported the sources of enemy fire and provided precise clearance information which enabled his pilot to deliver accurate illumination flares, cannon and machine gun fire, and marking rockets upon the hostile positions. At one point, he sighted thirty North Vietnamese Army soldiers and a recoilless rifle position and directed his pilot in an aggressive attack which inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy. When two flights of A-4 Skyhawk aircraft arrived on station, Captain Seybold briefed the air crews on the tactical situation and the restricted perimeters of safety due to the proximity of the friendly positions to the hostile force, enemy antiaircraft fire, marginal weather, and the difficulty they would encounter in maneuvering in the darkness over the mountainous area. With exceptional skill, he coordinated the delivery of flares to illuminate the hostile rocket and mortar emplacements, as well as the terrain surrounding the friendly positions, and then, with complete disregard for his own safety, directed his pilot on low-altitude marking runs and aided his pilot in controlling such devastating air strikes that the enemy fire was silenced. Captain Seybold's courage, superior professionalism, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Action Date: October 20, 1970

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Captain

Company: Aerial Observer Unit

Division: 1st Marine Division