Facing desperate odds, soldiers’ Vietnam stand led to Medals of Honor

For every battle in the Vietnam War, there were numerous small unit actions fought over active firebases, former firebases or any location where either side could set up an ambush.

One such confrontation was fought at an abandoned American fortification near the A Shau Valley called Firebase Maureen. Although minor in size, it was nonetheless major in ferocity — enough to produce two Medal of Honor recipients.

Born in Girard, Ohio, on Jan. 21, 1950, Kenneth David went from Boy Scout to Eagle Scout, a progression similar to what followed when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1969. After training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Fort Polk, Louisiana, he was assigned as an indirect fire crewman in D Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in January 1970.