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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC David P. Nash.
Congressional Medal of Honor
Episode 2954 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC David P. Nash. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the Fordham University website.
Private First Class David P. Nash was only 20 when he demonstrated an extraordinary act of selflessness and bravery in the face of danger during the Vietnam War. Born in Whitesville, Kentucky, Nash was drafted in the U.S. Army with a sense of duty to his country, serving as a grenadier in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. His courage on December 29, 1968, would immortalize his name.
On that fateful day, Nash’s unit was in a defensive position near Giao Duc when they came under intense attack. As the battle raged, Nash noticed an enemy grenade land in the middle of his fellow soldiers. Without hesitation, he shouted a warning, leapt toward the grenade, and covered it with his body. The grenade detonated, killing Nash instantly but sparing the lives of his comrades.
PFC Nash’s sacrifice epitomized the highest ideals of military service: putting the mission and the lives of others above oneself. His heroism earned him the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for valor. The citation highlighted his “profound concern for his comrades” and his “conspicuous gallantry.”
Decades later, his name remains etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and his story continues to inspire. To honor him, a road in his home town was named in his honor.
David P. Nash’s sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of freedom and the unyielding spirit of those who serve.
Listen to Episode 2954 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC David P. Nash.
