VIETNAM - ADDIS, FRANCIS RAY

Addis, Francis Ray

VIETNAM - ADDIS, FRANCIS RAY
ADDIS, FRANCIS RAY

Rank: Specialist 4

Unit: A Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist

Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge

Unit awards: Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device

Enlisted by: Selected Service

Date of birth: 3-Jun-1949

Hometown: Connellsville, Pennsylvania

Marital status: Never Married

Campaign: Vietnam Conflict

Entered service: 20-Mar-1969

Start of tour: 8-Sep-1969

Incident date: 19-Jun-1970

Date of casualty: 19-Jun-1970

Age at death: 21

Cause of death: Hostile, Died. Small Arms Fire. Gun or small arms fire.
Francis Ray Addis was killed while on a combat operation when a hostile force was encountered. / On combat patrol around night defensive position (NDP). Engaged hostile force in firefight.

Three Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
SP4 Francis Ray Addis
1LT Robert Knapp Henderson Jr
SP4 Larry Robert Ladd

Location of fatality: Cambodia, XU 453 013

Place of interment: Hill Grove Cemetery, Connellsville, Pennsylvania, USA

View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial panel and row: 09W 067 (view Vietnam Veterans Memorial link in a new window)

 

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS

SPECIALIST FOUR FRANCIS RAY ADDIS
9 JUNE 1970
A TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT

Specialist Four Addis distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 9 June 1970 while serving as a tracked vehicle commander with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, elements of Troop A were conducting a mine sweeping operation when they were attacked on both flanks by an estimated North Vietnamese company entrenched in bunkers. Though Specialist Addis was wounded during the initial moments of contact, he retaliated with highly accurate suppressive fire and was responsible for destroying two bunkers. Only when lack of blood weakened him did he submit to medical aid. When he had regained his strength, he resumed his position as tank commander and again placed a heavy barrage of fire upon the enemy positions. When contact was broken he allowed himself to be evacuated. Specialist Four Addis’ actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 3014 (24 July 1970)