In Memoriam · Liberty County, Georgia

William Edward Sapp

Specialist Four · U.S. Army

March 12, 1943 – June 7, 1968

Killed in Action · West of Kontum, Republic of Vietnam

Service & Sacrifice

Born: March 12, 1943 · Hinesville, Georgia
Branch: United States Army
Unit: Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division
Killed in action: June 7, 1968 · west of Kontum, Republic of Vietnam (age 25)
For valor: Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device

His Story

William Edward Sapp was born in Hinesville — the very town his clinic now serves. As a Specialist Four with the 4th Infantry Division, he volunteered to walk point on a search operation west of Kontum on June 7, 1968. When a concealed enemy force opened fire, Sapp was hit in the first burst — yet he kept fighting, and would not let his wounds take him out of the battle. For his actions that day he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.

Bronze Star with Valor — Citation

“For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force… Specialist Sapp had volunteered for the point position and was cautiously leading the unit through dense jungle when a well-camouflaged North Vietnamese force brought them under heavy automatic weapons fire. Despite serious wounds from the enemy's initial burst of fire, Specialist Sapp located the enemy emplacements and initiated volumes of retaliatory fire. When the hostile unit launched a ground assault, Specialist Sapp — refusing to be evacuated — secured his weapon and fired accurate barrages from his litter, urging his comrades on, until he was mortally wounded. His courageous efforts greatly aided and inspired his comrades in successfully defeating the enemy unit.” — U.S. Army General Orders No. 4012, Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, 14 July 1968 (condensed).

Decorations & Awards

Bronze Star Medal w/ “V” (Valor)
Purple Heart
Combat Infantryman Badge
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation w/ Palm
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Marksman Badge (Machine Gun, Pistol, Rifle)

On the Wall of Faces

See his photo and leave a remembrance on the national Wall of Faces, maintained by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. View on VVMF →