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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Staff Sergeant Jon Robert Cavaiani, US Army
Jon Cavaiani's own words:
An individual must at least attempt to keep his mind occupied, to retain his sanity, otherwise, the enemy will enter. Therefore, I decided what were the things I believed in: God, America, and my family. Yes, they had always been in my mind and then when I needed them most they stood by me as a shield against the enemy.
After extensive and rigorous training in the skills of the Special Forces, I went to Vietnam as a weapons man. Upon arriving there I was immediately made Agricultural Advisor for Military Region 1 or I Corps, a job in which I had an extensive knowledge, having been District Sales Manager for a chemical company, which specialized in agricultural chemicals, prior to my military career. Also, before working for the chemical company, I had farmed for four and a half years.
I was Agricultural Advisor for four months until reassigned to run reconnaissance for four months. I was also a heavy weapons platoon leader for a month. My last assignment before being captured was as a commander of a relay site north west of Quang Tri. On June 4, 1971 the site was attacked and overrun by the enemy. The following day, I was captured. From that day forward the enemy, in their own way, gave me the will to survive, to resist their ideas and their belief that what they were doing was right. This in turn strengthened my conviction that I was right in being in Vietnam.
As a prisoner I was to meet some of the most heroic men I have ever or will ever hope to encounter, men who never let their country or families down, when so many people in the United States were letting us, the POWs, MIAs and almost all our country, down. Well, by God, regardless of what some people said about the war, we did our jobs as men and kept the faith in our President and country.
I thank God and my country for letting me come back to see my daughters again. And I say, with great pride, God Bless America. November 1996
Former POW Sgt. Jon R. Cavaiani was released by the Provisional Government of Vietnam on March 27, 1973. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his attempt to defend Hickory Hill. Jon Cavaiani retired from the Army as a Sergeant Major.
S/Sgt. Jon Robert Cavaiani, being awarded the Medal of Honor by President Gerald Ford
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Vietnam Training Advisory Group, Republic of Vietnam. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 4 and 5 June 1971. Entered service at: Fresno, Calif. Born: 2 August 1943, Royston, England. Citation: S/Sgt. Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory. On the morning of 4 June 1971, the entire camp came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire from a superior size enemy force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani acted with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp's perimeter directing the platoon's fire and rallying the platoon in a desperate fight for survival. S/Sgt. Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons. When the entire platoon was to be evacuated, S/Sgt. Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone. S/Sgt. Cavaiani was able to direct the first 3 helicopters in evacuating a major portion of the platoon. Due to intense increase in enemy fire, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their defenses. On the morning of 5 June, a heavy ground fog restricted visibility. The superior size enemy force launched a major ground attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small force. The enemy force advanced in 2 ranks, first firing a heavy volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down. He ordered the remaining platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover fire. With 1 last courageous exertion, S/Sgt. Cavaiani recovered a machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping motion along the 2 ranks of advancing enemy soldiers. Through S/Sgt. Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape. While inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was wounded numerous times. S/Sgt. Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
Nine Medal of Honor Recipients Attend Gala
By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., June 14, 2004 Ten Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars were expected here at the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation's 10th Annual Invitational Gala June 12, but only nine showed up the 10th died five days before the event.
 Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient retired Army Sgt. Maj. Jon Cavaiani, left, chats with Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Mark Allen of the 6th Motor Transport Battalion based in Red Bank, N.J., during the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation's 10th Annual Invitational Gala in Atlantic City, N.J., June 12. Photo by Rudi Williams
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available.
"One of our recipients who has been with us for the past 15 years passed away (June 7) Marine Cpl. Richard E. Bush , " Medal of Honor recipient retired Marine Corps Col. Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum Jr. told the gala attendees. "He received his medal for the Battle of Okinawa during World War II." Bush lived in Waukegan, Ill.
Bush, 80, a native of Glasgow, Ky., was cited for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on April 16, 1945, as a squad leader with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division, on Mount Yaetake on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands.
Barnum introduced the other American combat heroes, including himself, to the audience, starting out with a World War II hero, retired Army Col. Van T. Barfoot , a native of Edinburg, Miss., now living in Ford, Va. As a second lieutenant with the 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division, Barfoot was cited for bravery on the battlefield near Carano, Italy, on May 23, 1944.
Also from World War II, retired Army Master Sgt. Nicholas Oresko , a native of Bayonne, N.J., was cited for gallantry while serving as a platoon leader with Company C, 302nd Infantry, 94th Infantry Division, near Tettington, Germany, on Jan. 23, 1945.
Barnum said Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Hector A. Cafferata Jr ., a native of New York City, is now living in Venice, Fla. Cafferata was a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). He was honored for bravery on Nov. 28, 1950, during the breakout from the Chosin Reservoir.
Detroit native Marine Corps Pfc. Robert E. Simanek , 74, received the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in combat on Aug. 17, 1952, while serving with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). Simanek lives in Farmington Hills, Mich.
Vietnam War Marine Corps Sgt. (then Cpl.) Robert E. O'Malley , 61, of New York City, was the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. He was honored for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity near An Cuong 2, South Vietnam, on Aug. 18, 1965, while serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.
Another Vietnam War hero, retired Army Sgt. Maj. Jon R. Cavaiani, 60, who was born in Royston, England, was a staff sergeant when he was cited for combat valor June 4-5, 1971, as a member of the Vietnam Training Advisory Group. Now a resident of Columbia, Calif., Cavaiani also was held two years as a prisoner of war.
Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Robert M. Patterson , 56, of Durham, N.C., received the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action near La Chu, Vietnam, on May 6, 1968. Now a resident of Fayetteville, N.C., he was a sergeant with Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry.
Greenville, S.C., native Brian M. Thacker , 55, was a first lieutenant with the Army's Battery A, 1st Battalion, 92nd Artillery, when he performed with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at Kontum Province, Vietnam, on March 31, 1971. Thacker now lives in Wheaton, Md.
Barnum, 63, was born in Cheshire, Conn., and is now a resident of Reston, Va. He was cited for bravery on the battlefield near Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam, on Dec. 18, 1965. A first lieutenant at the time, Barnum was a member of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
After introducing the nine Medal of Honor recipients, Barnum asked them to stand at attention while everyone paused for a moment to remember Bush and his outstanding service to the nation.
This marked Cavaiani's 18th year of attending the annual gala. "I'm an honorary Marine," he noted. "I was made an honorary Marine on Jan. 1, 2000, by General Jones." He was referring to former Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Jones, now NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
"It's an opportunity to get together with all my friends. Basically it's a camaraderie thing, and to find out how we're doing as a foundation," Cavaiani said. "Even the money from my coins (special Medal of Honor recipient coins) all goes to the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, even though I was Army.
"We've been trying to increase the number of Medal of Honor recipients who attend this event," Cavaiani continued. "At one time, we had 14 (at this event). But our numbers have dwindled down to 130 recipients, so it's getting harder and harder."
For example, Cavaiani said Dick Bush had been attending the event for years. "He called on Saturday (June 5), and said 'I'm coming,' and he passed away on Monday (June 7)."
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