Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation©
Marine Corps Tankers Have Made History. Your Foundation is Making it Known.
THATCHER, CHARLES D. Citation: The Navy Cross is presented to
Charles D. Thatcher, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism as a Tank Commander with Company A, Third Tank
Battalion, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force,
in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of
Vietnam on 8 May 1967. While operating in support of the First
Battalion, Fourth Marines, Lance Corporal Thatcher's tank was hit
and heavily damaged by enemy fire during a savage mortar and
infantry attack on the battalion's positions at Gio Linh by a
400-man North Vietnamese Army force. During the initial enemy
antitank rocket assault, two of his crewmen were killed and one
wounded. Although painfully wounded in the back and neck, he
courageously reentered the burning tank to remove the dead and
wounded and administered first aid to the surviving crewman. For one
hour, while awaiting reinforcements, he cared for his wounded
companion while fighting off repeated enemy assaults. When he was
assured that his comrade had been moved to a secure area, he
resolutely returned to his tank and boldly engaged the North
Vietnamese alone with his .30-caliber machine gun, inflicting heavy
casualties on the enemy. Having expended his machine gun ammunition,
he left his disabled tank, retrieved a rifle from a dead
infantryman, and continued to deliver a heavy volume of accurate
fire on the enemy. Realizing that the infantrymen were dangerously
low on small- arms ammunition, he completely disregarded his own
safety to carry re-supplies to their fighting holes while under
intense hostile fire. With three tanks disabled by the enemy fire,
Lance Corporal Thatcher reacted instantly when he observed a North
Vietnamese soldier about to fire a rocket at one of the operative
tanks. Displaying bold initiative, he killed the enemy as he rushed
the tank with his rocket launcher. Throughout the vicious fire
fight, he repeatedly risked his own life to assist his wounded
companions and provide continuous covering fire. His daring and
heroic actions were instrumental in repulsing the North Vietnamese
attack. Lance Corporal Thatcher's uncommon courage, inspiring
leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of enemy
fire reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with
the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States
Naval Service. |