William-David-Poole

PFC WILLIAM DAVID POOLE



Poole arrived in South Vietnam November 1968 and was assigned to A/2/501st. He died May 13, 1969 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam due to hostile fire during the FSB Airborne Sapper Attack. See accounts from the FSB Airborne page here.

Awards & Decorations:

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Unit Awards & Citations:

RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
RVN Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class

Silver Star: (HQ, 101st ABN DIV, General Orders Number 9226; 21 July 1969)

13 May 1969

PFC William D. Poole was awarded the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) for gallantry in action while engaged in military operation involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 13 May 1969. Private First Class Poole distinguished himself while serving as assistant machine gunner with Company A, 2d Battalion, 501st Infantry. Company A had just moved to Fire Support Base Airborne in order to secure the area prior to moving into the northern part of the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam. During the early hours, a barrage of mortar rounds began to fall on the partially completed camp, many of them smashing into bunkers manned by friendly troops. Simultaneously, a wave of North Vietnamese sappers pierced the perimeter, heaving satchel charges through the bunker apertures. The friendly forces was caught by surprise by the attack, but fought back heroically. Private Poole was serving as an assistant machine gunner for the Second Platoon and when the platoon defenses were threatened by a wave of satchel-carrying sappers, the machine gunner directed fire into the battalion size enemy force attempting to keep the sappers at a distance where the deadly satchel charges could not be employed. During the ground fighting a deluge of mortar rounds impacted within the perimeter. At a critical point in the action. Private Poole’s weapon ran low on ammunition. He reacted immediately to the emergency and abandoned the comparative safety of his bunker to crawl toward the ammunition dump twenty meters away. Enemy mortars continued intent on reaching the much needed ammunition. Although a burst of shrapnel hit him he continued to crawl until he reached his goal. As he was moving back toward his bunker with the ammunition, a mortar round exploded to his immediate front. Though mortally wounded Private First Class Poole tossed the belts of ammunition and the machine gun was able to continue issuing sustained fire. Private Poole’s personal bravery 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.

PHOTOS

I could not find additional photos for William.

WILLIAM DAVID POOLE, JR.

PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service - 101st Airborne Division - Marietta, SC. Length of service 0 years. His tour began on Nov 21, 1968. Casualty was on May 13, 1969 in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM (FIREBASE AIRBORNE), HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY, OTHER CAUSES. Body was recovered. Panel 25W - Line 109

BIRTH 17 Jul 1948
DEATH 13 May 1969 (aged 20)
BURIAL - Mountain View Memorial Park, Travelers Rest, Greenville County, South Carolina, USA. MEMORIAL ID 19914423

OBITUARY

I was unable to find an obituary.