Rank: Corporal
Unit: F Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11B – Infantryman
Awards: Medal of Honor, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Note: Operation Fargo
Enlisted by: Selected Service
Date of birth: 19-Jan-1942
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Marital status: Married to Suzanne C. Wickam, one son
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 12-Sep-1966
Start of tour: 8-Aug-1967
Incident date: 6-Jan-1968
Date of casualty: 6-Jan-1968
Age at death: 25
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Jerry Wayne Wickam died from metal fragment wounds received while on a combat operation when engaged hostile force in a firefight.
Three Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
PFC Troy Cleveland Battles
PFC John Martin Jr
CPL Jerry Wayne Wickam
Location of fatality: Binh Long, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Lightsville Cemetery, Leaf River, Illinois, USA
View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)
MEDAL OF HONOR
POSTHUMOUS
CPL JERRY WAYNE WICKAM
6 JANUARY 1968
F TROOP, 2nd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Corporal Jerry Wayne Wickam for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 6 January 1968. Troop F was conducting a reconnaissance in force mission southwest of Loc Ninh when the lead element of the friendly force was subjected to a heavy barrage of rocket, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from a well concealed enemy bunker complex. Disregarding the intense fire, Corporal Wickam leaped from his armored vehicle and assaulted one of the enemy bunkers and threw a grenade into it, killing two enemy soldiers. He moved into the bunker, and with the aid of another soldier, began to remove the body of one Viet Cong when he detected the sound of an enemy grenade being charged. Corporal Wickam warned his comrade and physically pushed him away from the grenade thus protecting him from the force of the blast. When a second Viet Cong bunker was discovered, he ran through a hail of enemy fire to deliver deadly fire into the bunker, killing one enemy soldier. He also captured one Viet Cong who later provided valuable information on enemy activity in the Loc Ninh area. After the patrol withdrew and an air strike was conducted, Corporal Wickam led his men back to evaluate the success of the strike. They were immediately attacked again by enemy fire. Without hesitation, he charged the bunker from which the fire was being directed, enabling the remainder of his men to seek cover. He threw a grenade inside of the enemy’s position killing two Viet Cong and destroying the bunker. Moments later he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Corporal Wickam’s extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 78 (4 December 1969)