25AUG1968: Serving in the 62nd Transportation Company of the 7th Transportation Group, SGT William Seay and his men took off with a convoy of 81 trucks to resupply the American units at Tay Ninh Combat Base in Vietnam. In the midst of the route, the enemy struck, ambushing the column with machine gun fire and rockets. As vehicles at the head and rear of the convoy were disabled, Seay and many others found themselves trapped with nowhere to go. Their only option to fight it out until help arrived, SGT Seay dismounted his vehicle and took cover. In short order, the enemy began movement through the kill zone to wipe out Seay and his men. As they did so, a grenade was thrown that landed next to Seay under an ammunition trailer. Without hesitation, Seay picked it up and threw it back, killing four enemy soldiers and saving the lives of the men nearby. Seay did this once more that day before being severely wounded in the right arm. Continuing to fight and motivate his men to hold on, Seay noticed a group of enemy soldiers maneuvering on his position. Although unable to use his right arm, Seay attacked, firing with his left as he went. After killing the three attackers, Seay returned to American lines where he was later killed by enemy fire. For his bravery that day in helping hold off the enemy attack until reinforcements could arrive, SGT William Seay would be awarded, posthumously, the Medal of Honor.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related