Kern Community Foundation
5701 Truxtun Ave, Suite #110
Bakersfield, CA. 93309
Feel Free To Contact Us
661-301-1006, 661-303-1245,
661-699-3046, 661-996-4840
5701 Truxtun Ave, Suite #110
Bakersfield, CA. 93309
661-301-1006, 661-303-1245,
661-699-3046, 661-996-4840
Sgt. Milo Lemert located an enemy machine gun emplacement, which had been caus ing heavy casualties. In the face of heavy fire he rushed it singlehandedly, killing the entire crew with grenades. Continuing along the enemy trench, he reached another emplacement, which he also charged. A third machine gun emplacement opened up on him from the left and he destroyed this also. Later, in company with another sergeant, he attacked a fourth machine gun nest. He was killed as he reached the parapet of the emplacement. His courageous action in destroying four enemy machine gun nests prevented many casualties among his company and materially aided in achieving the objective.
Sgt. Larry Pierce, a squad leader in a reconnaissance platoon, displayed remarkable courage when his patrol was ambushed by enemy forces. Leading with bravery, the squad succeeded in eliminating an enemy machine gun and routing the opposing force. While pursuing the fleeing enemy, Sgt. Pierce discovered an antipersonnel mine on a dirt road. Sgt. Pierce sacrificed himself to save his squad, demonstrating indomitable courage and concern for his comrades. Through his indomitable cour age, complete disregard for his own safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, he averted loss of life and injury to the members of his squad. Sgt. Pierce's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Specialist Four Leonard L. Alvarado demonstrated exceptional courage and selfless ness while serving as a Rifleman with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division [Airmobile) during combat operations against an armed enemy in Vietnam. In the face of enemy fire, he led his comrades through dense jungle to reach a trapped platoon. Despite being wounded twice, he continued to engage the enemy and protect his fellow soldiers. His ultimate sacrifice and his actions silenced enemy positions and saved many lives. Specialist Four Alvarado's extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
In the ruck with the Second Squad, which had gone flat when the shooting started without really knowing whether the danger was real, was PFC Tommy Jones, a hardnosed 20-year-old from Taft, Calif. At his elbow was Private Weight, with Spec 4 Thomas Tobey of Hartford on his other side. Tobey was a gunner, Weight his assistant, and Jones the ammo bearer.
The least of the three got them in motion. “That’s a lot of shooting” Jones said. “We ought to get up there”.
“Shouldn’t we wait for orders from the Lieutenant?” Tobey replied. Jones bit it off. “You can’t win that way.” So they went.
Crawling they made it, and set up their M-60 about 15 meters to the left of the first machine gun, where Wysocki lay. But the grass was so thick that they could not see him or the weapon.
The gun was still firing as they settled. Then it stopped. From its direction rose an anguished cry, “Medic, medic, medic”
“Someone’s gotta take over that gun,” Jones said matter-of-factly. The two gunners didn’t reply; they were busy with their own weapons. So Jones crawled off through the grass on his last do-it-yourself mission. He found Peak and Wysocki down, both hit by bullets. Tobey and Weight heard the other M-60 gun resume its comforting rat-tat-tat. Jones called out back to them, “I got it going.” By their count, he was a full-fledged gunner long enough to fire at least 200 rounds. Then five bullets hit him all at once, two in the brain, one through the neck, and two in the upper body. It was the hardest possible way to win a Silver Star.
Individuals or organizations may contribute to the Kern Veterans Memorial Fund through the Kern Community Foundation website address kernfoundation.org, scanning the QR Code or sending a check to:
Kern Community Foundation - 5701 Truxtun Ave, Suite #110 Bakersfield, CA. 93309
Please write checks payable to Kern Community Foundation and write Kern Veterans Memorial in the memo line. All donations are Tax Deductible (Tax ID# 77-0555874).
The Kern Veterans Memorial is downtown Bakersfield was dedicated in 2007 to all Kern County veterans as a symbol of respect for their sacrifice. In 2012, Phase II, the Wall of Valor was added consisting of eight glass panels with the names of 1,013 Kern County citizens who were killed in action.