Captain Gary M. Rose

Captain Gary M. Rose

born

October 17, 1947

hometown

Huntsville, Alabama

enlistment date

April 4, 1967

Military Occupation (MOS)

18D Special Forces Medical Sergeant

unit

5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Tours of Duty

Thailand, 1969; Republic of Vietnam, 1970; Panama, 1971-1973

U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Gary M. Rose during U.S. Army Jump School at Fort Benning, Ga., September 1967. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

Retired Capt. Gary “Mike” Rose enlisted in the U. S. Army, April 4, 1967. He attended basic training at Fort Ord, California, and Infantry Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. After graduating from AIT, he was promoted to private first class and attended the U.S. Army Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

In October 1967, Rose began Special Forces Training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A year later, he graduated as a Special Forces medic and was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group. In April 1969, Rose was assigned to the 46th Special Forces Company, headquartered in Lopburi, Thailand. In April 1970, Rose was reassigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group, 5th Special Forces Group.

In April 1971, Rose attended the Spanish Language School in Anacostia, D.C., then assigned to the 8th Special Forces Group (later designated the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Group) in Panama until August 1973.

In August 1973, Rose was selected to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Field Artillery in December 1973, and attended Field Artillery Officer Basic at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In 1978, Rose attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course followed by various field artillery assignments in Germany, New Mexico, Korea and Fort Sill.

U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Gary M. Rose during U.S. Army Jump School at Fort Benning, Ga., September 1967. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Gary M. Rose during U.S. Army Jump School at Fort Benning, Ga., September 1967. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Gary M. Rose, Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Okla., Feb. 10, 1975. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Gary M. Rose, Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Okla., Feb. 10, 1975. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

Gary M. Rose promoted to the rank of Captain at Fort Sill, Okla., on Dec. 19, 1977. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

Gary M. Rose promoted to the rank of Captain at Fort Sill, Okla., on Dec. 19, 1977. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

Rose graduated in December 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in General Education and Military Science from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and a Masters of Arts in Communication from the University of Oklahoma in December 1989.

Rose retired from the U. S. Army in May 1987. He then worked as an instructional designer writing operator, user and maintenance manuals, as well as designing training for the manufacturing industry. He permanently retired in 2010. Rose has been married to his wife Margaret since 1971. They have three adult children and two grandchildren. In retirement, Rose has remained involved in charity activities primarily through the Knights of Columbus.

Rose’s military awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster and “V” device, the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with two knots, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign with star, Presidential Unit Citation (MAC SOG), Vietnam Civic Action Honor Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation – with Palm Combat Medical Badge, Special Forces Tab, U.S. Army Parachute Badge, Thai Army Parachute Badge, Vietnam Parachute Badge, and several service ribbons.

From the get-go, once we crossed a certain line, we started taking ground fire.

Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose

The Battle

Operation Tailwind | Sept. 11-14, 1970 | Chavane, Laos

Map depicting the Operation Tailwind insertion point near Chavane, Laos, Sept. 11, 1970

Map depicting the Operation Tailwind insertion point near Chavane, Laos, Sept. 11, 1970

Map depicting the Operation Tailwind insertion point near Chavane, Laos, Sept. 11, 1970

Map depicting the Operation Tailwind insertion point near Chavane, Laos, Sept. 11, 1970

Sgt. Rose was serving as a Special Forces medic with a company-sized exploitation force consisting of Americans, Vietnamese and indigenous paramilitary Montagnard personnel that was inserted 70 kilometers inside enemy-controlled territory on Sept. 11, 1970.

Once on the ground, they moved deep into enemy territory. The company soon made contact with an enemy squad, wounding two Americans and two Montagnards. One of the wounded was trapped outside the company defensive perimeter. Rose, engaging the enemy, rushed to get the wounded Soldier. Rose rendered expert medical treatment and stabilized the wounded Soldier, and carried the man through the heavy gunfire back to the company defensive area.

When the enemy withdrew, the company continued deeper into enemy territory. The company engaged more enemy forces, and took more casualties. Bravely and courageously, with no regard to his own safety, Rose moved through the enemy fire to render lifesaving medical treatment to the mounting numbers of wounded, personally engaging the enemy in order to get to the wounded men.

The fire becoming so intense, Rose had to crawl from position to position to treat the wounded. As he moved, Rose gave words of encouragement and directed the fires of the inexperienced and terrified Vietnamese and Montagnard troops. Over the next few days, the unit marched west and deeper into the Laos jungle, defending against continuous attacks from squad to company-sized enemy elements. Air Force gunships overhead provided close-air support to keep the enemy at bay.

Wounded in Action

Rose received the most severe of many wounds on the second day of the mission. Rose’s wounds did not slow his eagerness or determination to save the wounded Soldiers.

During an assault by a company-sized element of North Vietnamese Army, one of the Montagnards was wounded 40 to 50 meters outside the company area. Rose ran, crawled, and maneuvered his way to this wounded man, shielding the Soldier with his own body, as he rendered lifesaving medical treatment. Rose then dragged the wounded Soldier back to the company with one hand while holding back and engaging the enemy with his weapon in the other hand.

“I got a hole blown through my foot about the size of my thumb.”

Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose

Rose was returning to the company area with the wounded Soldier when a rocket propelled grenade landed nearby, spraying Rose with shrapnel in his back, leg, and severely crippling his foot. Using a stick as a crutch, as he would for the remainder of the mission, Rose continued professionally treating the wounded while ignoring his own painful wounds.

Need for Medevac

The company had taken so many wounded that a medevac helicopter was called. The helicopter was unable to land in the small opening where the company sought cover, and Rose, standing and fully exposed to the withering enemy fire, attempted to pass the wounded up to the crew on the hovering helicopter. So intense was the enemy fire, the medevac pilot aborted the mission, and the severely damaged helicopter crashed a few miles away.

Using close air support, the company was able to break out of their defensive position. Rose improvised litters for the wounded, which now numbered over half the company. Despite his own painful and debilitating wounds, Rose never took time to eat, rest, or care for his own wounds while treating his fellow Soldiers.

On the last night of the mission, the company was surrounded in their position. Rose worked tirelessly to dig trenches for the wounded and treat their injuries. The NVA bombarded the company all night with rockets, grenades and mortars. All night, Rose exposed himself to the enemy fire, courageously moving from position to position, encouraging the Soldiers and treating the numerous wounded.

On the last day of the mission, after destroying an enemy base camp, the company was notified by the forward air controller that over 500 NVA were moving on their position. The company was ordered to a helicopter extraction point as Air Force assets cleared their path, guiding the company to the next landing zone. Setting a perimeter around the LZ while each platoon was loaded up, the enemy assaulted them from 360 degrees.

"Your job [as a combat medic] is to maintain the person’s life, to keep them out of shock ... You’ve got to talk to the person. You’ve got to convince them that they’re going to be fine ... even in the chaos of battle."

Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose

Time to Evacuate

The NVA, close on the heels of the company at the landing zone, caused even more casualties among the allied personnel. Rose moved under intense enemy fire of the assaulting NVA, completely exposing himself, to retrieve the allied dead and wounded and return them to the company defensive perimeter. In great pain, Rose continued to retrieve and medically treat Soldier after Soldier, under the withering enemy fire with no regard to his own safety.

With the arrival of the extraction helicopters, Rose returned to the outer defensive perimeter to engage the enemy and repel the continued and determined enemy assault.

Rose boarded the final extraction helicopter while delivering accurate aimed fire on the enemy as he hobbled up to the loading ramp. Numerous NVA soldiers were now overrunning the vacated landing zone, an estimated 50 meters from the aircraft

Shortly after the helicopter lifted off, it was hit by enemy anti-aircraft rounds. At about 4,500 feet in the air, Rose heard the engine stop. Rose was alerted that a Marine door gunner on the extraction helicopter had been shot with an enemy round through his neck. Rose rushed to his aid, rendering lifesaving medical treatment that saved the Marine’s life before the helicopter crashed, several kilometers away from the initial extraction point.

Rose was thrown from the helicopter before the point of impact.

With the Soldiers on board wounded from the crash, the helicopter was smoking and leaking fuel. Still dazed and wounded from the crash, Rose crawled back into the downed helicopter to pull his wounded and unconscious teammates from the wreckage, knowing it could explode at any moment. Rose continued to professionally administer medical treatment to the injured personnel until another helicopter arrived on the scene to extract the men.

On return to base, Rose, covered in blood and wounds, refused all treatment until the other wounded men were attended to first.

Despite the many wounded, only three men died during the four days of almost constant contact with a superior enemy force deep in enemy territory. Rose is credited with treating 60-70 wounded personnel and saving many lives. Rose’s unwavering devotion to duty, professionalism and skill in his job as a medic, and extreme courage under heavy enemy fire, reflect great credit on himself, the Special Forces, and the United States Army.

"I remember sitting on the tailgate and all of a sudden the helicopter went quiet ... We're going to crash"

Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose

U.S. Army Sgt. Gary M. Rose is helped from a helicopter landing area after Operation Tailwind, 1970. Photo courtesy of Ted Wicorek.

U.S. Army Sgt. Gary M. Rose is helped from a helicopter landing area after Operation Tailwind, 1970. Photo courtesy of Ted Wicorek.

Capt. Eugene C. McCarley (center), commander of B-company, and other members of Sgt. Gary M. Rose’s unit after Operation Tailwind, Sept. 14, 1970. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

Capt. Eugene C. McCarley (center), commander of B-company, and other members of Sgt. Gary M. Rose’s unit after Operation Tailwind, Sept. 14, 1970. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

Moving the wounded and unconscious men a safe distance away from the smoldering wreckage, Rose continued to professionally administer medical treatment to the injured personnel.

Another helicopter arrived on scene to extract the personnel. On return to base, Rose, covered in blood and wounds, refused all treatment until the other wounded men were attended to first.

Despite the many wounded, only three men died during the four days of almost constant contact with a superior enemy force deep in enemy territory. Rose’s unwavering devotion to duty, professionalism and skill in his job as a medic, and extreme courage under heavy enemy fire, reflect great credit on himself, the Special Forces, and the United States Army.

President Donald Trump places the Medal of Honor around the neck of Capt. Mike Rose, during an Oct. 23, 2017 ceremony at the White House, in Washington, D.C. U.S. Army photo by C. Todd Lopez

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President Donald Trump places the Medal of Honor around the neck of Capt. Mike Rose, during an Oct. 23, 2017 ceremony at the White House, in Washington, D.C. U.S. Army photo by C. Todd Lopez.

President Donald Trump places the Medal of Honor around the neck of Capt. Mike Rose, during an Oct. 23, 2017 ceremony at the White House, in Washington, D.C. U.S. Army photo by C. Todd Lopez

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President Donald Trump places the Medal of Honor around the neck of Capt. Mike Rose, during an Oct. 23, 2017 ceremony at the White House, in Washington, D.C. U.S. Army photo by C. Todd Lopez.

Retired Capt. Gary Rose and wife, Margaret, pose for a photo before the Medal of Honor ceremony in Washington, D.C., Oct. 23, 2017. Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during Operation Tailwind in Southeastern Laos during the Vietnam War, Sept. 11-14, 1970. Then-Sgt. Rose was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at the time of the action. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tammy Nooner

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Retired Capt. Gary Rose and wife, Margaret, pose for a photo before the Medal of Honor ceremony in Washington, D.C., Oct. 23, 2017. Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during Operation Tailwind in Southeastern Laos during the Vietnam War, Sept. 11-14, 1970. Then-Sgt. Rose was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at the time of the action. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tammy Nooner

Acting secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy presents a citation to retired Capt. Gary Rose during the Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Oct. 24, 2017. Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor Oct. 23, 2017, for actions during Operation Tailwind in Southeastern Laos during the Vietnam War, Sept. 11-14, 1970. Then-Sgt. Rose was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at the time of action. U.S. Army photo by John Martinez

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Acting secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy presents a citation to retired Capt. Gary Rose during the Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Oct. 24, 2017. Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor Oct. 23, 2017, for actions during Operation Tailwind in Southeastern Laos during the Vietnam War, Sept. 11-14, 1970. Then-Sgt. Rose was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at the time of action. U.S. Army photo by John Martinez

Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose is inducted into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes, in Arlington, Va., Oct. 24, 2017. Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor Oct. 23, 2017, for actions during Operation Tailwind in Southeastern Laos during the Vietnam War, Sept. 11-14, 1970. Then-Sgt. Rose was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at the time of action. U.S. Army photo by John Martinez

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Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose is inducted into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes, in Arlington, Va., Oct. 24, 2017. Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor Oct. 23, 2017, for actions during Operation Tailwind in Southeastern Laos during the Vietnam War, Sept. 11-14, 1970. Then-Sgt. Rose was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at the time of action. U.S. Army photo by John Martinez

Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose gives his remarks during his Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Oct. 24, 2017. Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor Oct. 23, 2017, for actions during Operation Tailwind in Southeastern Laos during the Vietnam War, Sept. 11-14, 1970. Then-Sgt. Rose was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at the time of action. U.S. Army photo by Eboni Everson-Myart

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Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose gives his remarks during his Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Oct. 24, 2017. Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor Oct. 23, 2017, for actions during Operation Tailwind in Southeastern Laos during the Vietnam War, Sept. 11-14, 1970. Then-Sgt. Rose was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at the time of action. U.S. Army photo by Eboni Everson-Myart

“Your will to endure, your love for your fellow Soldier, your devotion to your country inspires us all. I have to tell you, that is something. Nations are formed out of the strength and patriotism that lives in the hearts of our heroes.”

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

White House Ceremony, October 23, 2017

U.S. Army Sgt. Gary M. Rose (third from left) and members of Operation Tailwind, Sept. 15, 1970, the morning after the operation. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

U.S. Army Sgt. Gary M. Rose (third from left) and members of Operation Tailwind, Sept. 15, 1970, the morning after the operation. Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose.

5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

5th Special Forces Group

The 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was officially activated Sept. 21, 1961, at Fort Bragg, N.C.

A year later, elements of the 5th Special Forces Group began serving temporary duty tours in the Republic of Vietnam. Full deployment of the Group was completed in February 1965.

Units from within the group deployed from its operational base at Nha Trang, to the four military regions of Vietnam. Operational detachments established and manned camps at 254 different locations, to train and lead indigenous forces of the Civilian Irregular Defense Groups, and regular units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam.

The 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) also formed specialized units that conducted special reconnaissance and direct-action missions.

Despite being one of the smallest units engaged in the Vietnam conflict, the Group’s colors fly 20 campaign streamers. Soldiers from the group are among the most highly decorated warriors in the history of our nation.

To date, 17 Medals of Honor have been awarded (eight posthumously), to Soldiers in the group for actions in Vietnam.

The group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Vietnam 1966 to 1968, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) Vietnam 1968; the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam 1964; and Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, 1st Class, Vietnam, 1968 to 1970.

On March 5, 1971, the colors of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) were returned to Fort Bragg by a 94-man contingent led by then-Col. (Retired Maj. Gen.) Michael D. Healy, thereby terminating their official Vietnam service.

For more information about special operations in Vietnam, download MACV: The Joint Command in the Years of Withdrawal, 1968-1973 (PDF - 4.8 MB).

Read Unit History

It’s a collective medal from my perspective. All the courage and honor and the dedication to duty that those men served [with].

Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose