THE WALL OF FACES

Robert Carrol Wright

Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Battalion: 6th Battalion
Division: Americal Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 745 (March 24, 1970)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Robert Carrol Wright, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery A, 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery, American Division. Second Lieutenant Wright distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 January 1970 while in command of an advance party of field artillerymen establishing a firebase on Hill 285 near the town of Duc Pho. Late that night the hill came under intense mortar, rocket-propelled grenade, and small arms fire from an attacking enemy force. Lieutenant Wright immediately began adjusting artillery fire on the attackers, repeatedly exposing himself to the storm of incoming fire as he attempted to determine the enemy's exact positions. Moments after the hostile force initiated their attack, an enemy mortar round impacted near Lieutenant Wright and his radio operator, inflicting them both with shrapnel wounds. Despite his wounds, Lieutenant Wright continued to coordinate friendly supporting fire until sappers breached the defensive position and were advancing toward his position. Unable to engage the infiltrators with his damaged rifle, Lieutenant Wright stood out in the open and yelled at the intruders in order to draw their attention and fire to himself and away from the wounded radioman who could not move. Lieutenant Wright then led the sappers in a running chase over forty meters away from the radioman before he was mortally felled by their fire. Second Lieutenant Wright's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, 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 United States Army.

Thank you for your service to our country. Rest in peace.

Hey Bob, Lynn here. Took my grandson, Jackson to the dedication of your barracks at Ft. Sill. He said "grandpa I wish I could have met Bob. Did you cry a little bit?: I said I sure did. He became pretty good buddies with Tim Austin. Save me a space up there.

I was 7 when Bob was killed. I remember him blow-drying his hair with the wrong end of our Eureka vacuum cleaner. He was a trend setter. I remember him practicing his trumpet. I remember him always taking pictures. He was a gifted photographer. He was always coming and going. Busy. Involved. Engaged. Serving. Leading.

I've heard may stories of him throughout my life time and often wonder what his career would have been. It would have been something that involved artistry, talent and leadership. He was an amazing human. I miss him still.

I love you, Bob.
Baby Sister, Shelly

Dear 2LT Robert Carrol Wright, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter