Rank: Private First Class
Unit: L Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11H – Heavy Anti-Armor Weapons Infantryman
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Valorous Unit Award, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Selected Service
Date of birth: 29-Sep-1946
Hometown: Grand Gorge, New York
Marital status: Married to Linda L. Oakley
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 15-May-1967
Start of tour: 14-Oct-1967
Incident date: 23-Feb-1968
Date of casualty: 23-Feb-1968
Age at death: 21
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Small Arms Fire. Gun or small arms fire.
James Ronald Oakley died as the result of wound received when he was hit by hostile automatic weapons fire while on combat operation.
Location of fatality: Long Khanh, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Fairlawn Cemetery, Prattsville, New York, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JAMES RONALD OAKLEY
23 FEBRUARY 1968
I TROOP, 3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Private First Class Oakley distinguished himself by valorous actions on 23 February 1968, while serving as a Machine Gunner with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, on a reconnaissance in force mission near Xuan Thoi Son. As the armored column moved down the roadway it suddenly came under intense rocket, recoilless rifle, automatic weapons and small arms fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Private Oakley responded quickly, directing a highly accurate volume of suppressive fire on the enemy which allowed the remainder of his platoon to assume defensive positions. While manning his weapon in his vulnerable position aboard his armored cavalry assault vehicle, he was mortally wounded by a burst of machine gun fire. Private First Class Oakley’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with he highest traditions of the military and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division General Orders No. 1565 (21 March 1968)