USASOC Links



Sections

 

Hot Topics



  Social Media

 
Subscribe in a reader

Twitter
xml
rss

Weather Update


www.flickr.com
USASOC News Service's items Go to USASOC News Service's photostream



Join Our Mailing List
Email:

Home > UNS > 140512-04


 

RELEASE NUMBER: 140512-04
DATE POSTED: MAY 14, 2014

MEDIA ADVISORY: Special Forces Vietnam veteran to receive DSC

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (USASOC News Service, May 12, 2014) – A Special Forces Vietnam veteran will receive the nation’s second highest military award 46 years after he repelled an enemy attack, thuse saving his fellow Americans.

Patrick N Watkins, Jr., will be presented with the Distinguished Service Cross during a ceremony scheduled May 22 at the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)’s compound on Eglin Air Force Base.

On Aug. 23, 1968, Watkins, then a Staff Sgt., was serving with Headquarters, Headquarters Company, Command and Control North, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), when the compound he was located at was attacked by a North Vietnamese sapper force. 

Watkins, though wounded in the initial assault, quickly organized a small reaction force, repelling the attack and rescuing wounded Americans while leading them through machine gun fire and grenades to a safe location. 

Throughout the engagement, Watkins continued to engage and kill sappers from the enemy force while repeatedly being wounded, and is credited with fiercely charging and killing an onrushing NVA sniper.

Media interested in attending the presentation ceremony should contact the 7th SFG (A) Public Affairs Office at 850-885-7275.

RSVPs must be received by May 15, in order to be processed for access to the group’s compound.