Medal of Honor Citation
Jimmy G. Stewart - Congressional Medal of Honor Winner - Vietnam War
A Native Son of West Columbia, West Virginia
Staff Sergeant Jimmy G. Stewart served in Company B of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) of the U. S. Army and was killed in action 18 May 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam at the age of 23 years, five months. Born Christmas Day of 1942 in West Columbia, West Virginia, he entered service at Ashland Kentuck[y], and is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ethel M. Stitt and his sister, Josephine Donahue, who now reside in Middleport, Ohio.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor posthumously to Staff Sergeant Jimmy G. Stewart, United States Army for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Early in the morning a reinforced North Vietnamese company attacked Company B, which was manning a defensive perimeter in Vietnam. The surprise onslaught wounded five members of a six-man squad caught in the direct path of the enemy's thrust.
Staff Sergeant Stewart became a lone defender of vital terrain - virtually one man against a hostile platoon. Refusing to take advantage of a lull in the firing, which would have permitted him to withdraw, Staff Sergeant Stewart elected to hold his ground, to protect his fallen comrades and prevent an enemy penetration of the company perimeter.
As the full force of the platoon-sized man attack struck his lone position, he fought like a man possessed - emptying magazine after magazine at the determined, on-charging enemy.
The enemy drove almost to his position and hurled grenades, but Staff Sergeant Stewart decimated them by retrieving and throwing the grenades back.
Exhausting his ammunition, he crawled under intense fire to his wounded team members and collected ammunition that they were unable to use.
Far past the normal point of exhaustion, he held his position for four harrowing hours and through three assaults, annihilating the enemy as they approached, and before they could get a foothold.
As a result of his defense, the company position held until the arrival of a reinforcing platoon, which counterattacked the enemy, now occupying foxholes to the left of Staff Sergeant Stewart's position.
After the counterattack, his body was found in a shallow enemy hole, where he had advanced, in order to add his fire to that of the counterattacking platoon.
Eight enemy dead were found around his immediate position, with evidence that 15 others had been dragged away. The wounded, whom he gave his life to protect, were recovered and evacuated.
Staff Sergeant Stewart's indomitable courage, in the face of overwhelming odds, stands as a tribute to himself and an inspiration to all men of his unit.
His actions were in the highest traditions of the U. S. Army and the Armed Forces of his country.