Army officials will honor the valorous actions of Spc. Leslie H. Sabo Jr., May 17, at 1 p.m., during a Pentagon Medal of Honor ceremony where he will be inducted into the Hall of Heroes.
In 1970, Sabo distinguished himself, in Se San, Cambodia, while serving as a rifleman in Company B, 3d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.
While conducting a reconnaissance patrol that year, May 10, members of Bravo Company were ambushed by a large enemy force. Sabo then charged an enemy position, killing several enemy Soldiers. Immediately thereafter, he assaulted an enemy flanking force; successfully drawing their fire away from friendly Soldiers and ultimately forcing the enemy to retreat.
When a grenade landed nearby a wounded comrade, Sabo, then 22, picked up the grenade threw it away while shielding his battle buddy with his own body, thus absorbing the brunt of the blast and saving the man's life.
Seriously wounded by the blast, Sabo, nonetheless, retained the initiative and single- handedly charged an enemy bunker that had inflicted severe damage on the platoon. He received several serious wounds from withering automatic weapons fire in the process. Despite being mortally injured, he crawled towards the enemy emplacement and, when in position, threw a grenade into the bunker. The resulting explosion not only silenced the enemy fire but also ended Sabo's life.
Sabo's widow, Rose Mary Brown; his brother, George; and members of his unit will participate in Thursday's ceremony to commemorate his example of selfless service and sacrifice.
For more information about Sabo, visit the following Web site: http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/sabo.
Media interested in attending this event must RSVP no later than noon Wednesday, May 16, with Paul Prince at (703) 697-2163/ paul.d.prince.civ@mail.mil or Lt. Col. Laurel Devine at laurel.a.devine.mil@mail.mil/ (703) 693-5084. Media representatives who do not possess Pentagon security badges must to arrive 30 minutes prior to the event's start time to receive an escort. Please note that two forms of identification, one of which validates your outlet affiliation, are needed.
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