Gary Rose

Gary Michael Rose (born 17 October 1947) is a retired United States Army officer and a Vietnam War veteran. For his actions during the war, Rose was recommended for the Medal of Honor, but this was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross due to the classified nature of the mission in Laos. He was finally presented the Medal of Honor on 23 October 2017.

After enlisting in the United States Army in 1967, Rose became a Special Forces combat medic, and in September 1970 distinguished himself in fighting in Laos at Chavane during Operation Tailwind, in which he treated the wounded while fighting People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces. Despite being wounded multiple times during the battle, he treated 60–70 personnel. Rose continued his career in the army and graduated from Officer Candidate School, becoming a Field Artillery officer and reaching the rank of captain before retiring, after which he worked in the manufacturing industry.

Early life Rose was born on 17 October 1947 in Watertown, New York, and later moved to the Los Angeles area. In 1965, he graduated from the James Monroe High School in Sepulveda. On 4 April 1967, he volunteered for the United States Army

In April 1970, Rose requested transfer to South Vietnam and was assigned to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (SOG), for which the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) provided administrative support. He was based at Forward Operating Base II at Kontum, where he treated the wounded and local civilians. 70 kilometers inside Laos near Chavane in Operation Tailwind, a diversionary operation.

Medal of Honor action After being inserted, the force advanced deeper into enemy territory, soon making contact with a PAVN squad, wounding two Americans and two Montagnards, one of whom was trapped outside the unit's defensive perimeter. Rose engaged the enemy while treating and stabilizing the soldier, carrying him through heavy fire back to the defensive positions. The company continued moving deeper into Laos following a PAVN withdrawal, engaging more PAVN forces and suffering more casualties. Disregarding his personal safety, Rose treated wounded under heavy fire, engaging the PAVN to reach the wounded. MACV commander General Creighton Abrams formally presented Rose the Distinguished Service Cross on 16 January 1971.

Personal life Rose married Margaret in 1971 and has As a living Medal of Honor recipient and a member of the organization, he is recognized on the SAR's official timeline of distinguished compatriot veterans. Rose frequently participates in SAR events, including serving as a keynote speaker and taking part in commemorative wreath-laying ceremonies for early American veterans.

Medal of Honor citation Rose's Medal of Honor citation reads:

Combat Medical BadgeMedal of Honor, upgraded from a Distinguished Service Cross on 23 October 2017Bronze Star Medal w/ "V" device and one bronze oak leaf clusterPurple Heart w/ 2 bronze oak leaf clustersMeritorious Service MedalAir MedalArmy Commendation MedalArmy Good Conduct Medal w/ bronze clasp, 2 loopsNational Defense Service MedalVietnam Service Medal w/ 3 Service starNoncommissioned Officer Professional Development RibbonArmy Service RibbonOverseas Service Ribbon w/ bronze numeral "5"Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ "60-" deviceSpecial Forces TabExpert Field Medical BadgeParachutist BadgePresidential Unit Citation

DAGO 25 for the period 24 Jan 64 – 30 APR 72 dated June 8, 2001, for Studies and Observation Group, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation

DAGO 51,71 for the period 1 Nov 68 – 30 Jun 70 for Studies and Observation Group, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam as per Department of the Army Pamphlet 672–3 dated January 29, 1988, pages 99–100 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

The Vietnamese Government issued the award to all units subordinate to Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) during the period 8 February 1962 and 28 March 1973 and to U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) and its subordinate units for the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973. This permits all personnel who served in Vietnam to wear the RVN Gallantry Cross unit citation. Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation

DAGO 48,71 for the period 30 Apr 68 – 24 Sep 70 for Special Operations Augmentation, Command and Control Center, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces as per Department of the Army Pamphlet 672–3 dated January 29, 1988, page 9 Thai Army Parachutist Badge