After being drafted to Vietnam, SPC James McCloughan trained as a combat medic and was attached to C.Co 3Bn, 21st Inf.
On May 13, 1969, the company was inserted into a hot LZ near Tam Ký. Two helicopters were shot down and under heavy enemy fire, McCloughan ran 110 yards through an open field and rescued a wounded soldier before the enemy could capture him.
With casualties mounting, he was wounded by an RPG and despite the severe blood loss, he managed to rescue 2 more soldiers who were within a few yards of the enemy.
He was wounded again, but still made 4 more trips under fire to rescue more of his men.
He was ordered 3 times to evacuate and each time he refused. When his commander asked why he wanted to stay, the blood soaked McCloughan replied: "Sir, you're going to need me here".
The next day, he was wounded once more by small arms fire when over 700 NVA troops began attacking their position from 3 sides.
Despite the odds, McCloughan managed to rescue more soldiers, killed scores of the enemy and provided life saving care all throughout the day.
It wasn't until May 15 that the survivors of the battle were finally evacuated along with McCloughan who was the only medic to live through it.
For his actions, he was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross, but the award was downgraded to the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device.
In 2017, McCloughan was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor.
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