Lawerence-E-Mize

Medals and Awards

Combat Medical Badge
Silver Star
Bronze Star
National Defense Service
Vietnam Service
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Jump Wings

Unit Citations

Bronze Star - 03 February 1968

SP4 Lawrence E. Mize was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for heroism in ground combat in the Republic of Vietnam on 3 February 1968. Specialist Mize distinguished himself while serving as a medic with the 1st platoon of Company A 2d Battalion (Airborne) 501st Infantry 101st Airborne Division on an operation near Hue, Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Mize was with members of the 1st platoon on an airmobile mission south of Hue when the helicopter was hit by automatic weapons fire from the enemy, forcing the ship to crash. The grounded helicopter was soon in flames and was again taken under enemy fire. The aircraft was evacuated, except for one man wounded by enemy fire and bleeding severely while still strapped to his seat. With complete disregard for his own safety, under enemy fire and with full knowledge that the burning aircraft might explode at any moment, Specialist Mize returned to the helicopter and treated the wounded man. Specialist Mize’s quick and heroic action saved the wounded man’s
life. Specialist Mize’s exceptional valor is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. (HQ, 101st ABN DIV; General Orders Number 383)

Silver Star - 20 April 1968

SP5 Lawrence E. Mize was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 April 1968. Specialist Mize distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman with Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry. Company A made contact with an enemy force located in a series of well placed bunkers concealed in a dense wood line in the vicinity of Hue, Republic of Vietnam. As the point squad was hit with a lethal barrage of machine gun and automatic weapons fire, Specialist Mize was with the company headquarters group about two hundred meters away from the area of contact. As the first shots were fired, Specialist Mize raced across the open rice paddies to be of assistance. Despite the ferocity of the battle, he made his way to a wounded man. After applying temporary measures, Specialist Mize realized that the man would have to be evacuated. Without hesitation, he picked the man up and retraced his steps to the command post. Realizing that others required his aid, Specialist Mize returned across the bullet swept, two hundred meters of rice paddies and began treating more of the wounded. With the fighting continuing all around him, Specialist Mize once again carried another injured man through enemy fire to safety. Although emotionally and physically drained, Specialist Mize reached again through the enemy fire to continue aiding the wounded. His courage in the face of the formidable enemy fire and devotion to his fellow soldiers proved to be an example for the entire company. Specialist Mize’s exceptional valor was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Unites States Army.

PHOTOS

Taken on a hill at Geronimo (Hoff, Mize & Marshall)	LZ Sally		Cu Chi
L to R: Fred Bender, Larry Mize, Michael D. Connell, Leonard Kaminski, Charles Quash	Febo-Betancourt, Ivan	Geronimo Senior Aidman and medic Larry Mize	Medic Marshall giving medic Mize a haircut on Geronimo	Sgt. Dave Dubose	Mike Connell
Senior Aidman and Calvin Strong	resupply	momma san	Doc" Mize in front of church in Hue	Joking with the interpreter	Dennis Griffin on left
Betty Evans on left, Sandy Mize on right	Sweeping for land mines	Charles Quash, Mike Connell, Fred Bender, Larry Mize Ft. Campbell	Interpreter at Geronimo	Newbies at Aid-station LZ Sally	Top Brander receiving the Silver Star
Fred Bender - Cu Chi	Keith Marshall	Mize-Keith Marshall	Mize, Dan Waske, Mike Connell, Fred Bender	LZ-Sally, Mize, Marshall