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        In the early morning hours of Friday, 12 May 1967, PFC William L. Sanders was manning an M60 machine gun on an armored patrol jeep on Highway 1A.

     He and his fellow MP's were serving as a Highway Security Force. At about 0330 hours, southeast of the RMK Rock Quarry at a point between Thu Duc and Long Binh Post known as “Gasoline Alley,” the Viet Cong ambushed the one armored and one open, jeep patrol. Several of the patrol members were immediately wounded.

     PFC Sanders quickly shouted to his comrades to take cover then stepped beyond the protective armor plating of his jeep, turned his weapon and began firing at the enemy in the tree line at the side of the road. That action allowed the other MPs to move to a place of safety. Sanders continued firing from his exposed position until he was mortally wounded.

     PFC Harold L. Newcomb, Jr. was treated for shrapnel wounds of the face, SP/4 L. D. Humbarger was treated for a wound of the right thigh, PFC William M. Halt was treated for a minor wound of the arm. Two other members of the patrols, CPL William B. Pratt and Hendrick were not injured.

     For his bravery in action, PFC William Leroy Sanders was awarded the Silver Star  and  Purple Heart  Medals, posthumously.

--- General / Personal ---
Last name: SANDERS
First name: WILLIAM LEROY
Home of Record (official): DENVER
State (official): CO
Date of Birth: Thursday, May 15, 1947
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: PFC
Serial Number: 16888517
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 95B10

-- Action ---
Start of Tour: Friday, January 20, 1967
Date of Casualty: Friday, May 12, 1967
Age at time of loss: 19
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Gia Dinh
The Wall: Panel 19E - Row 100

General Orders 2593 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR

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