THE WALL OF FACES

James Elson Buchanan
Date of birth: July 8, 1946
Date of death: November 3, 1969
Home of record: Laurel Mississippi
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star


Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class James Elson Buchanan (ASN: RA-14850547), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 12 September 1968 while serving as a vehicle commander with Troop E, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Buchanan's troop was given the mission of relieving Company A of the 1st Infantry Division which was held up by an estimated North Vietnamese Battalion. During the move over 2,000 meters of enemy-infested terrain, Specialist Buchanan's vehicle was under constant hostile automatic weapons and anti-tank fire. Foiling every attempt the enemy made to halt him, Specialist Buchanan, although receiving multiple fragmentation wounds from an exploding anti-tank rocket, continued to press forward until he was wounded by small arms fire. Showing no regard for his own personal safety, Specialist Buchanan then exchanged positions with one of his scout observers and as a medic attended his wounds, he continued to direct highly-accurate suppressive fire into the hostile positions. Although suffering from numerous painful wounds, Specialist Buchanan contributed to the successful accomplishment of his unit's mission, enabling other elements of his unit to relieve the beleaguered infantry company, thus saving many American lives. Specialist Fourth Class Buchanan's unwavering devotion to duty, personal courage and disregard of personal safety while under intense hostile fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1635 (November 7, 1968)

Action Date: September 12, 1968

Service: Army

Rank: Specialist Fourth Class

Company: Troop E, 2d Squadron

Regiment: 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

Dear SSGT James Elson Buchanan, 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

James is buried at Clark Cemetery in Jones Co,MS. SS BSM PH

James we have made contact with your mother. Your memory lives on through her and your fellow Blackhorse Troopers.

Allons!

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you , one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers