Dwight W. Birdwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dwight W. Birdwell
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Birdwell in 2022
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| Born | 19 January 1948 Amarillo, Texas, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1966–1968 |
| Rank | Specialist 5 |
| Unit | Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars |
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| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart (2) Silver Star (2) Bronze Star |
Dwight Wayne Birdwell, born on January 19, 1948, is a brave former soldier from the United States Army. In 2022, he received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for military bravery. He earned this award for his amazing actions during the Vietnam War in 1968.
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Growing Up
Dwight Birdwell was born in Amarillo, Texas. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation, a Native American tribe. He grew up in a small town called Bell, Oklahoma, where most people were Cherokee. He went to Bell Grade School and then graduated from Stilwell High School in 1966.
Joining the Army
Dwight Birdwell joined the Army on May 24, 1966.
Serving in Vietnam
Birdwell was sent to Vietnam and became part of Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry. This unit was part of the 25th Infantry Division.
He first showed great bravery on January 31, 1968. His unit quickly went to defend Tan Son Nhut Air Base, which was under attack during the Tet Offensive. Troop C was the first American ground unit from outside the airbase to help.
During the fight, Birdwell's tank commander was badly hurt. Birdwell quickly took charge of the tank. He fired at the attacking enemy forces until he ran out of ammunition. Then, he grabbed an M60 machine gun and kept fighting until that weapon was also damaged, and he was wounded. Even though he was hurt and under heavy fire, he bravely ran to other damaged vehicles to get more ammunition for his team. For these actions, he received his first Silver Star award.
On July 4, 1968, he again risked his life. He saw American soldiers, some of them wounded, stuck in a dangerous battle zone in an enemy-held village. He went to a damaged Army vehicle and, despite heavy enemy fire, loaded all the wounded soldiers and took them to safety. He then went back into the village to rescue more Americans. For this incredible bravery, he was given his second Silver Star.
Birdwell returned to the United States in December 1968.
Life After the Military
After his military service, Dwight Birdwell went to college. He studied at Northeastern State University and then at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, finishing in 1976.
He became a lawyer and served on the Judicial Appeals Tribunal (which is like the Supreme Court) of the Cherokee Nation from 1987 to 1999. He was even the chief justice for some of those years. Today, he works as a lawyer in Oklahoma City.
Family Life
Dwight Birdwell has been married for 53 years. He and his wife have two children and two grandchildren.
Receiving the Medal of Honor
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On June 27, 2022, it was announced that President Joe Biden would give the Medal of Honor to Birdwell and three other brave soldiers. The ceremony took place on July 5, 2022, at the White House.
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for bravery a person can receive in the U.S. military. It is given for acts of courage that go "above and beyond the call of duty."
Here is a summary of why Dwight Birdwell received the Medal of Honor: On January 31, 1968, a large enemy force attacked the Tan Son Nhut Airbase in Vietnam. Birdwell's unit faced the main part of this attack. Many of their vehicles were destroyed, and his tank commander was badly hurt.
Birdwell, under heavy enemy fire, moved his commander to safety. He then took control of the tank. He knew his tank was the first line of defense, so he used its cannon, machine gun, and his own rifle to fight the enemy. He stood in the open hatch of the tank, firing his machine gun and telling his commander what was happening, even after his radio was damaged.
When he ran out of ammunition, Birdwell got out of the tank. He went to his squadron commander's helicopter, which had been shot down, and got two more machine guns and ammunition. He and another soldier used these to keep the enemy back.
His machine gun was hit by enemy fire and exploded, wounding his face and body. But Birdwell refused to leave. He moved among the damaged vehicles, collecting ammunition to give to the other soldiers still fighting. While still under fire, Birdwell led a small group of defenders past the enemy. He personally threw hand grenades at the enemy, which stopped their attack until more help arrived.
When reinforcements came, Birdwell helped evacuate the wounded soldiers until he was finally ordered to get medical help for his own injuries. Throughout the entire battle, Birdwell repeatedly put himself in extreme danger to protect his team and defeat the enemy. His amazing heroism and selflessness showed the highest traditions of military service.
See also
