b. 20/04/1947 Flushing, New York. d. 16/03/2005 Seaford, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 22/02/1969 near Ben Tre City, Vietnam.
George C Lang MOH
A native of Flushing, New York, Lang served as a Specialist Fourth Class, United States Army, Company A, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry. Lang was awarded his Medal of Honor for action at Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam, on February 22, 1969, during the Vietnam War.
During a firefight on that day, in Kiến Hòa Province, Republic of Vietnam, Lang single-handedly assaulted three enemy emplacements before being seriously wounded. He recovered from his wounds and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle. He received his Medal on March 2, 1971 at The White House, from President Richard M. Nixon.
Lang died of cancer at age 57 and was buried in the Cemetery of the Holy Rood, Westbury, New York.
MOH CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Lang, Company A, was serving as a squad leader when his unit, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission, encountered intense fire from a well-fortifed enemy bunker complex. Sp4c. Lang observed an emplacement from which heavy fire was coming. Unhesitatingly, he assaulted the position and destroyed it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Observing another emplacement approximately 15 meters to his front, Sp4c. Lang jumped across a canal, moved through heavy enemy fire to within a few feet of the position, and eliminated it, again using hand grenades and rifle fire. Nearby, he discovered a large cache of enemy ammunition. As he maneuvered his squad forward to secure the cache, they came under fire from yet a third bunker. Sp4c. Lang immediately reacted, assaulted this position, and destroyed it with the remainder of his grenades. After returning to the area of the arms cache, his squad again came under heavy enemy rocket and automatic-weapons fire from three sides and suffered six casualties. Sp4c. Lang was one of those seriously wounded. Although immobilized and in great pain, he continued to direct his men until his evacuation was ordered over his protests. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness exhibited by this soldier over an extended period of time were an inspiration to his comrades and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
BURIAL LOCATION: HOLY ROOD CEMETERY, NEW YORK.
SECTION 9, ROW KK, PLOT 101.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
