Specialist Fourth Class Olson was serving as a team leader while his company was participating in a mission to reinforce a reconnaissance platoon which was heavily engaged with a well-entrenched Viet Cong force. When his platoon moved into the area of contact and had overrun the first line of enemy bunkers, Olson and a fellow soldier moved forward of the platoon to investigate another suspected line of bunkers. As the two men advanced they were pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire from an enemy position ten meters to their front. With complete disregard for his safety, Specialist Fourth Class Olson exposed himself and hurled a hand grenade into the Viet Cong position. Failing to silence the hostile fire, he again exposed himself to the intense fire in preparation to assault the enemy position. As he prepared to hurl the grenade, he was wounded, causing him to drop the activated device within his own position. Realizing that it would explode immediately, he threw himself upon the grenade and pulled it in to his body to take the full force of the explosion. By this unselfish action he sacrificed his own life to save the lives of his comrades. His extraordinary heroism inspired his fellow soldiers to renew their efforts and totally defeat the enemy force.

"I was with Ken the day he was killed, we were talking about 5 minutes before he was engaged in the firefight. It was about 5:00 or 6:00 pm. on Monday May 13, 1968. There were three or four of us who went in and brought Ken out the next day. If anyone would like to contact me, my email is mikey@pics.com" Mike Cullinan

Born at Budapest, Hungary, September 21, 1939, he earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam while serving with the 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Patrol), 173rd Airborne Brigade at Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam, November 13, 1968.

For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty. He distinguished himself while serving as leader of Team Delta, 74th Infantry Detachment. At 1000 hours on this date, Team Delta was in a defensive prrimeter conducting reconnaissance of enemy trail networks when a member of the team detected enemy movement to the front. As he and a comrade prepared to clear the area, he heard an incoming grenade as it landed in the midst of the team's perimeter. With complete disregard for his own life, he threw himself on the grenade and, covering it with his body, received the complete impact of the immediate explosion. Through indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own life and injury to the other members of Team Delta. By gallantry at the cost of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, he has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

His body was returned to the United States where it was buried in Section 52 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Patrol), 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 13 November 1968. Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born: 21 September 1939, Budapest, Hungary. 

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Rabel distinguished himself while serving as leader of Team Delta, 74th Infantry Detachment. At 1000 hours on this date, Team Delta was in a defensive perimeter conducting reconnaissance of enemy trail networks when a member of the team detected enemy movement to the front. As S/Sgt. Rabel and a comrade prepared to clear the area, he heard an incoming grenade as it landed in the midst of the team's perimeter. With complete disregard for his life, S/Sgt. Rabel threw himself on the grenade and, covering it with his body, received the complete impact of the immediate explosion. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, S/Sgt. Rabel averted the loss of life and injury to the other members of Team Delta. By his gallantry at the cost of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, S/Sgt. Rabel has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

I keep you in my mind and in my heart. I remember you well. When we were students together at the MACV Recondo School in Nha Trang in 1967, you were so much older than I was. I was only twenty years old, half way through the first of two tours In Country. You were 27. You seemed so impossibly older than me then. On breaks, those of us who were students from the 173rd Airborne Brigade would gather together and tell stories. You regaled us with stories of the shock to your most innocent youth in Hungary in 1956, when you were a 17-year-old lad, being caught up in the Revolution that was brutally crushed. Your recounting of escaping and evading through Russian lines was a harrowing tale. I remember the twinkle in your eyes when you recalled how you took out a couple of Russians who were in your way during your escape to the West. Here it was 11 years later and you puffed up your burly chest with the pride of the opportunity to rid the world of more Communists and get paid for it. Your dedication and commitment to your mission and to your fellow soldiers both awed and inspired me.

Thanks for being in such good humor when I threatened to "pop" you one. It was my arm that was extended before you during the Medical Module / Intravenous exercise. You were trying so hard with your thick fingers to inject me with the proscribed amount of sterile water. On the first attempt, you rolled the needle off the vein to the right. On the second attempt, you rolled the needle off to the left. On the third attempt, you rammed the needle through the vein. On the fourth attempt, after my "threat", you got it right. While I was thankful, I was sore.

In 1968, however, I'd heard of your selfless act from friends of mine who were there. Recently, I read the citation language that accompanied your Congressional Medal of Honor. Your final act was so consistent with the dedication and commitment you professed while we were at the Recondo School. These days, Lazlo, I feel honored to have shared that little bit of blood with you. Does that make us blood brothers? If not, we remain brothers in spirit.

Peter Willey, who spent his younger days in Huron, Ohio, volunteered for the Marines right out of high school and went to boot camp at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, the summer of 1967. His brother, Ted, who now lives in Colorado, said Pete lost 58 pounds in boot camp and then left for Vietnam that September. After he went overseas, his family sent packages of "goodies" to Pete and his friends, but Pete gave his goodies to the Vietnamese children. He loved children, Ted said, and spent most of his free time with them.

Pete was 20 years and 10 days old on Jan. 15, 1968, when he was killed instantly in action. He was with his company on patrol in Thua Thien Province when the company became engaged in an intense firefight. He was killed by a mortar round which landed in his position. His commanding officer sent the family a personal letter, describing his unbelievable character and bravery.