Drew Dennis Dix

Drew Dennis Dix (born December 14, 1944) is a decorated United States military veteran and retired major in the United States Army. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War; he was the first enlisted Special Forces soldier to receive the medal.

Early life Dix was born in West Point, New York, and raised in Pueblo, Colorado. He attended and graduated from Centennial High School.

Military career Dix enlisted in the United States Army at age 18 in 1962, hoping to join the Special Forces. Initially turned down because of his young age, he spent three years serving with the 82nd Airborne Division before being accepted into the Special Forces at the age of 21. and was assigned as a military adviser to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in Chau Phu, South Vietnam, near the Cambodian border. On January 31, 1968, Viet Cong forces attacked Chau Phu in the first days of the Tet Offensive. Throughout that day and the next, Dix led groups of local fighters in rescuing endangered civilians and driving Viet Cong forces out of buildings in the city.

Dix later received a direct commission to first lieutenant and retired as a major after 20 years of service. Since receiving the medal, he has made numerous public speaking engagements. He currently lives in the interior region of Alaska.

Awards and decorations Medal of Honor Dix (far right) and three other men shortly after receiving their Medals of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson (center). The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Drew Dennis Dix United States Army for service as set forth in the following citation:

Commendations

Publications Dix, Drew. The Rescue of River City. Fairbanks, Alaska: Drew Dix Pub, 2000.