Mitchell W. Stout
Encyclopedia
Mitchell William Stout was a United States Army
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in the Vietnam War
.
with a military occupational specialty of 16F (Light Air Defense Artillery Crewmember) in 1968. By March 12, 1970 was serving as a Sergeant in Battery C, 1st Battalion, 44th Artillery Regiment. On that day, at Khe Gio Bridge in the Republic of Vietnam
, Stout picked up an enemy-thrown grenade and used his body to shield his comrades at the expense of his own life.
Stout, aged 20 at his death, was buried in Virtue Cemetery, Concord, Tennessee
.
is named in his honor.
SGT Stout is the only US Army Air Defense Artillerymen to win the Medal of Honor.
The I-75 bridge across the Tennessee River at Loudon, Tennessee was named in honor of Sgt. Stout.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Biography
Stout joined the Army from Raleigh, North CarolinaRaleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
with a military occupational specialty of 16F (Light Air Defense Artillery Crewmember) in 1968. By March 12, 1970 was serving as a Sergeant in Battery C, 1st Battalion, 44th Artillery Regiment. On that day, at Khe Gio Bridge in the Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, Stout picked up an enemy-thrown grenade and used his body to shield his comrades at the expense of his own life.
Stout, aged 20 at his death, was buried in Virtue Cemetery, Concord, Tennessee
Concord, Knox County, Tennessee
Concord is an unincorporated community in Knox County, Tennessee, United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an historic district. The United States Geographic Names System classifies Concord as a populated place...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Sergeant Stout's official Medal of Honor citation reads:Sgt. Stout distinguished himself during an attack by a North Vietnamese Army SapperSapperA sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
company on his unit's firing position at Khe Gio Bridge. Sgt. Stout was in a bunkerBunkerA military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
with members of a searchlightSearchlightA searchlight is an apparatus that combines a bright light source with some form of curved reflector or other optics to project a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays in a particular direction, usually constructed so that it can be swiveled about.-Military use:The Royal Navy used...
crew when the position came under heavy enemy mortarMortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
fire and ground attack. When the intensity of the mortar attack subsided, an enemy grenade was thrown into the bunker. Displaying great courage, Sgt. Stout ran to the grenade, picked it up, and started out of the bunker. As he reached the door, the grenade exploded. By holding the grenade close to his body and shielding its blast, he protected his fellow soldiers in the bunker from further injury or death. Sgt. Stout's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, at the cost of his own life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit and the U.S. Army.
Other
The gym on main post Fort BlissFort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
is named in his honor.
SGT Stout is the only US Army Air Defense Artillerymen to win the Medal of Honor.
The I-75 bridge across the Tennessee River at Loudon, Tennessee was named in honor of Sgt. Stout.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War