CPT Charles H. Briscoe, USA
Class of 1965
Hometown: Fayettville, NC
- Capt. Briscoe was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism during action against the North Vietnamese 17 June 1968, while serving with Company C, 4th Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade.
- Captain Briscoe DSC citation reads in relevant part: "During the initial probe of an enemy battalion's stronghold, Captain Briscoe learned that several wounded were trapped in a field raked by enemy fire. He rushed to the forefront and led an assault to recover the wounded personnel. As he and his headquarters element came in sight of the wounded they began drawing fire from two bunkers armed with heavy machine guns. He crawled toward his senior aid man who was lying wounded in a clearing, firing his submachine gun at the bunkers in an effort to pin the enemy gunner down. Unmindful of the intense small arms fire from two bunkers, Captain Briscoe, with complete disregard for his own life, single-handedly assaulted the bunkers with hand grenades destroying both of them, killing their occupants. As he dragged the wounded aid man toward cover, an intense volley of heavy machine gun fire killed the aid man, narrowly missing Captain Briscoe. In spite of continued heavy enemy fire, he returned, located, and dragged his wounded forward observer out of the line of enemy fire, being himself wounded in the process….In spite of his wounds…he kept command of his company. Calling to his radiomen above, he rallied his men and relayed the necessary instructions to form a defensive perimeter within the base camp. By relaying directions to his radiomen, Captain Briscoe directed a determined defense that successfully repulsed two enemy counterattacks. Following his rescue from the well, Captain Briscoe directed air strikes into the base camp to cover his company's withdrawal to a more defensible position and remained throughout the seven-hour battle, refusing to be evacuated until all his men had been cared for. His valor and total disregard for his own safety inspired his men to success against a numerically larger enemy force. Captain Briscoe's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."