Rank: Specialist 4
Unit: B Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11B – Infantryman
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, 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: 8-Jan-1947
Hometown: Newport News, Virginia
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 13-Jul-1967
Start of tour: 14-Dec-1967
Incident date: 1-Jul-1968
Date of casualty: 1-Jul-1968
Age at death: 21
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Explosive Device. Other explosive device.
Thomas Melvin Washington died from wound received while commander of military vehicle on combat operation when mine detonated.
Location of fatality: Binh Duong, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
SPECIALIST FOUR THOMAS MELVIN WASHINGTON
1 JULY 1968
B TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Specialist Four Washington distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 1 July 1968 while serving with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Washington’s unit was conducting a reconnaissance in force mission southeast of Dau Tieng when it came upon a clearing suspected of being mined by an enemy force. Immediately, a dismounted mine-sweeping team moved out in front of the column in order to clear the area of enemy mines and possible hostile elements. Specialist Washington’s vehicle was in the lead of the column performing the essential duty of protecting the mine-sweeping team. As the team began sweeping the area, Specialist Washington, totally disregarding his own safety, moved to a highly vulnerable position atop his armored cavalry assault vehicle in order to provide more security for the team. The instant that Specialist Washington had suitably positioned himself a command-detonated mine exploded, mortally wounding him. Specialist Four Washington’s unwavering devotion to duty and deep concern for the welfare of his comrades 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. 965 (17 August 1968)