Clarence Sasser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clarence Sasser
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| Born | September 12, 1947 Chenango, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | May 13, 2024 (aged 76) Sugar Land, Texas, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1967–1968 |
| Rank | Specialist Five |
| Unit | 60th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Clarence Eugene Sasser (born September 12, 1947 – died May 13, 2024) was a brave soldier in the United States Army. He received the highest award for courage in the U.S. military, the Medal of Honor, for his amazing actions during the Vietnam War.
Contents
Clarence Sasser: A Hero's Story
Early Life and Military Service
Clarence Sasser was born in Chenango, Texas. He briefly studied chemistry at the University of Houston. However, he had to leave college because he didn't have enough money.
Later, he was chosen to join the United States Army. This process is called being "drafted." He became a combat medic, which means he was a soldier who helped wounded people on the battlefield. Sasser served in the Vietnam War for only 51 days.
A Day of Incredible Bravery
On January 10, 1968, in Dinh Tuong Province, South Vietnam, Clarence Sasser showed incredible courage. He was a private first class and a medic with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment. His unit was landing by air when they suddenly came under heavy attack. Enemy soldiers fired many weapons, like small arms, recoilless rifles, machineguns, and rockets, from hidden spots.
In just a few minutes, over 30 soldiers were hurt. Without thinking twice, Sasser ran across an open field, even though bullets and rockets were flying everywhere. He wanted to help the wounded. He helped one soldier get to safety. Then, an exploding rocket hit him, hurting his left shoulder.
Even though he was injured, Sasser refused to stop. He kept running through the intense gunfire to help more soldiers who were hurt in the first attack. He gave them important medical care. He kept looking for other wounded soldiers. He was hit two more times, and his legs were badly hurt, making it hard to move.
Despite the pain and losing a lot of blood, he dragged himself through the mud towards another soldier who was about 100 meters away. He reached the soldier, treated his wounds, and then encouraged a group of other soldiers to crawl 200 meters to a safer spot. There, he continued to treat their wounds for five hours until help arrived to take them away.
For his amazing courage and selflessness, President Richard Nixon gave Clarence Sasser the Medal of Honor in 1969. He was later promoted to specialist five.
Life After the War
After his time in the military, Sasser went back to college. He studied chemistry at Texas A&M University. He then worked at an oil refinery for more than five years. Later, he worked for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, helping other veterans.
In 2010, a statue was made to honor Sasser and his bravery during the war. This statue was placed in front of the Brazoria County Courthouse. Clarence Sasser passed away on May 13, 2024, in Sugar Land, Texas.
See Also
