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Congressional
Medal of Honor
The little blue ribbon has 13 stars. Not an unlucky
number, unless your name is King George. It was created at the time
of the Civil War. The first one struck was for the Navy,
then from the same die was struck the Army version. (The Navy medal has
an anchor.) The title is a link to a page where you can look over
the various editions.
MAXIMO YABES
Rank and Organization: First
Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry
Division
Citation:
When several enemy grenades landed within
the command post, 1st Sgt. Yabes shouted a warning and used his body as
a shield to protect others in the bunker. Although painfully wounded by
numerous grenade fragments, and despite the vicious enemy fire on the bunker,
he remained there to provide covering fire and enable the others in the
command group to relocate. When the command group had reached a new position,
1st Sgt. Yabes moved through a withering hail of enemy fire to another
bunker 50 meters away. There he secured a grenade launcher from a fallen
comrade and fired point blank into the attacking Viet Cong
Noting 2 wounded men helpless in the fire swept area, he moved them to a safer position where they could be given medical treatment. He resumed his accurate and effective fire killing several enemy soldiers and forcing others to withdraw from the vicinity of the command post. As the battle continued, he observed an enemy machinegun within the perimeter which threatened the whole position. On his own, he dashed across the exposed area, assaulted the machinegun, killed the crew, destroyed the weapon, and fell mortally wounded. 1st Sgt. Yabes' valiant and selfless actions
saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers and inspired his comrades
to effectively repel the enemy assault. His indomitable fighting
spirit, extraordinary courage and intrepidity at the cost of his life are
in the highest military traditions and reflect great credit upon himself
and the Armed Forces of his country
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