Rank: Sergeant
Unit: K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Note: M-113A1, ACAV, K-17
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 7-Sep-1944
Hometown: Rose Hill, Virginia
Marital status: Married to Barbara A. Lee
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Start of tour: 23-Aug-1966
Incident date: 21-May-1967
Date of casualty: 21-May-1967
Age at death: 22
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Alfred Lee was on a convoy escort mission when engaged in firefight with a hostile force.
Seventeen Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
SP5 William Phillip Centers Jr
SGT Eugene Harold Dickinson
PVT Jerry Lee Houser
SP4 Toler Lee Hutchins Jr
SP4 Phillip Earl Ireland
SSG James Albert Jackson
SGT Alfred Lee
PFC Patrick Michael Loisel
SP4 Henry David McInnis
SP4 James David McWhorter
SP4 Anthony Wilfred Roybal
PFC Rodolfo Andres Saenz
SSG Walter Stephen Simpson
PFC William Charles Stanley
SP4 James Thomas Steighner
SP4 Dwight Elmer Timberlake
SP4 Larry Allen Williamson
Location of fatality: Long Khanh, South Vietnam, YT 564 054
Place of interment: Barbourville Cemetery, Barbourville, Kentucky, USA
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SILVER STAR
POSTHUMOUS
SERGEANT ALFRED LEE
21 MAY 1967
K TROOP, 3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Sergeant Lee distinguished himself by gallantry in actions involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop K, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Lee distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 May 1967, while serving as vehicle commander aboard an Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle in convoy near the village of Soui Cat, Republic of Vietnam. As the convoy was proceeding through and unsecured area, an estimate reinforced battalion of Viet Cong attacked with anti –tank weapons, mortars, automatic and small arms. The insurgents were on both sides of the road, they directed an intense volley of fire upon the friendly troops. In the ensuing battle, Sergeant Lee was critically wounded but valiantly continued firing upon the fanatical enemy. Sergeant Lee’s indomitable courage and calmness under intense fire effectively repelled the initial wave of attackers, preventing the Viet Cong from swarming over his vehicle. Although I sever pain, Sergeant Lee continued to direct devastating fire on the Viet Cong positions. When his vehicle erupted in flames caused by a hostile round, Sergeant Lee courageously ordered his crew to evacuate the blazing track and provided covering fire so that they could move to safety. Despite the fact that he was the lone soldier upon the fiercely burning vehicle, Sergeant Lee continued to fire furiously at the enemy until overcome by the unbearable heat. Sergeant Lee’s heroic actions in close combat with a hostile force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division General Orders No. 1947 (27 June 1967)