 Welch Daily News |
Remember...David Lee Sackett
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David Lee Sackett was born October 8, 1946, in Welch, West Virginia, to Frederick and Dora Lee Koger Sackett. David had a brother, Fred. David graduated from Welch High School in 1964 and from the Military Academy at West Point in 1968. In April 1969 he married Pamela Stokes, and on July 27 of that year he was sent to Vietnam.
On September 21, 1969, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12 Infantry, with Lt. David Sackett as platoon leader, was on patrol, doing a "sweep" of a Vietnamese village when word was received that an enemy soldier had been spotted by a gunship. Upon arrival at the designated location, Lt. Sackett noticed the muzzle of a rifle protruding from a "Spider Hole." He then quickly approached the hole and tossed a grenade inside. This resulted in the death of the three enemy soldiers who occupied it and contributed to the success of the mission. Lt. Sackett was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions on that day.
Lt Sackett was also awarded the Silver Star for his leadership during intense hostile fire when they came in contact with a large enemy force on September 26. He and four men under his command destroyed key enemy emplacements. Sackett also gave first aid to one of his men, thus saving his life. Lt. Sackett was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism for his actions during nighttime patrol through an ambush site on October 13, 1969. While exposed to enemy fire, he directed the return fire of his men.
On October 24, 1969, Lt. David Lee Sackett was leading Company A on a reconnaissance operation in Binh Doung Province when the company was fired upon by enemy troops concealed in bunkers. Sackett led a successful assault on one bunker and was advancing on another when he was struck by enemy fire. Initially reported missing in action, Sackett was later confirmed as killed on that day. Lt. Sackett was posthumously awarded a second Bronze Star.
The body of Lt. David Lee Sackett was returned to the United States in November 1969 and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery.
Medal information: Arlington cemetery.net
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.
