Philip Dallam Reeder
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 27 September 1968, then-Private Philip Dallam Reeder was serving with Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, in South Vietnam.

On that day, PVT Reeder was an automatic rifleman with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. His unit made contact and began receiving a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from an estimated reinforced North Vietnamese Army company occupying well-fortified bunkers. As PVT Reeder's squad deployed against the hostile positions, an enemy hand grenade landed among 4 of his comrades. PVT Reeder ran toward the grenade through the enemy fire and, as he rushed across the exposed area, he was wounded. Despite the wound, he grasped the grenade and ran toward the hostile bunker to hurl it back at the enemy soldiers. As the grenade left his hand, it detonated, killing him instantly. PVT Reeder's body shielded the men from the blast and shrapnel, saving them from injury or possible death. PVT Reader's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Reeder received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Private First Class.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Philip Dallam Reeder (ASN: RA-15845733), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Private Reeder distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 September 1968 while serving as an automatic rifleman with the 173d Airborne Brigade. His unit made contact and began receiving a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from an estimated reinforced North Vietnamese Army company occupying well-fortified bunkers. As Private Reeder's squad deployed against the hostile positions, an enemy hand grenade landed among four of his comrades. With complete disregard for his safety, Private Reeder rushed through the withering hail of enemy fire toward it. As he dashed across the exposed area, he was wounded. Despite the injury he grasped the grenade and ran toward the hostile bunker in an attempt to hurl it back at the communist soldiers. As the grenade left his hand, it detonated, killing him instantly. His body shielded the men from the blast and shrapnel, saving them from injury or possible death. Private Reader's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5750 (December 17, 1968)

Honors

The name Philip D Reeder is located on Panel 42W Line 32 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial