Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation®
Marine Corps Vietnam-era Tankers and Ontos Crewmen Have Made History. Your Historical Foundation is Making it Known.
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Corporal Ivan Redhorn was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic actions
while serving as an Ontos Commander with Company C, 3rd Antitank
Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, in Vietnam. "Acting as an escort for a convoy 10 miles South of Danang, Cpl Redhorn's vehicle was located at the rear of the column when the convoy was ambushed by a Viet Cong force. Almost immediately the lead Ontos was disabled by enemy antitank fire, leaving Cpl Redhorn's vehicle as the only Ontos able to bring effective fire on the enemy. Despite the heavy volume of enemy small arms and antitank fire, he immediately commenced firing, completely disrupting the attacking enemy force. With his ammunition exhausted, and even though the area was still under sporadic enemy fire, he daringly left his vehicle and ran down the road to investigate the crew of the damaged Ontos. After he was assured that the crew had moved their Ontos out of the ambush site with additional ammunition. He positioned his vehicle in support of a blocking force and directed effective fire against the enemy. Through his daring initiative, heroic actions and presence of mind under fire, Cpl Redhorn undoubtedly helped save the lives of numerous Marines in the convoy. By his outstanding courage, complete disregard for his own safety and the concern for the welfare of his fellow Marines, Cpl Redhorn upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service." Cpl Redhorn was killed on Okinawa while on R & R from Vietnam. |