SIERRA VISTA — When Pfc. Frank Crary’s reconnaissance platoon was pinned down by enemy gunfire during a battle in the Vietnam War, he leapt into action, disregarded his own safety and saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers.
For that bravery 52 years ago, Crary, of Tucson, was honored Tuesday at Fort Huachuca with the second-highest medal a soldier can receive for his gallantry .
It was Crary, a rifleman, who stood up and ran toward the machine gun position on April 7, 1966, and “exposed himself to counterfire from nearby North Vietnamese camouflaged positions, which he methodically engaged and neutralized,” an Army statement said.
Despite his unit’s numerous casualties, he continued his attack on the North Vietnamese Army forces by flanking the machine gun, attacking and killing the enemy with hand grenades. The remaining squad members were then able to defeat the rest of the enemy fighters due to Crary’s actions, the Army said.
A fellow soldier in D Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, said Crary’s heroism that day is the reason why he can help celebrate Crary now.
“It’s a major honor, because that incident saved my life. I was pinned down by that machine gun and the guys to my left and right had been killed,” said Charles Rose, who served with Crary. “I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t taken out that machine gun.”
More than 52 years later, Crary was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross — the second-highest honor members of the Army can obtain for their actions — in front of about 300 people at Fort Huachuca. His fellow soldiers, military veterans, active-duty personnel and civilians gathered at Fitch Auditorium to watch as Crary received his medal.
In his remarks, Crary acknowledged the name of each comrade who was there in battle with him.
Crary, who was nominated for the medal by a fellow soldier, said he never thought about standing on a stage receiving a medal for his actions but accomplished what needed to be done.
“I just looked at it as I’m doing my job, you don’t look at it like anything else” Crary said. “It’s not about the medal, it’s about the job and you sign on for the job, good or bad.”
He said the memories of that time in combat still resonate with him and he’s thankful he can share a time of being honored with his “brothers” many years later.
“Those are my heroes, that’s how I look at that … (they) are why I did what I did, to give them honor is a pleasure to me.”
John Gergulis, the commanding officer of the unit at the time, said the remaining members who get together multiple times every year are truly family.
“We experienced events that the average individual doesn’t even think about and I look upon them all with deep respect,” he said. “It’s that inviting respect that we hold for one another and the brotherhood … it’s like the glue that holds us together.”
Crary’s Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest honor a member of the Army can receive, just below the Medal of Honor. The service cross is given to those who exemplify extraordinary heroism, gallantry and devotion to duty during combat against an enemy force.
Crary said he was “overwhelmed” and appreciative when told he was to receive the medal.
“What a thankful addition to my life,” said Crary, a businessman who said he is looking forward to retirement.
In addition to the service cross, he received the Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnam Service Medal.
“I think every veteran ought to have a day like this and I think most people, I would hope, are really grateful for what their soldiers, airmen and sailors do for them with no reservations,” Crary said.
