Clarence E Sasser
Clarence was born on the 12th of September 1947, in Chenango, Texas and he played football in high school, while also performing well academically. He moved to Houston after high school to attend the University of Houston. He was studying chemistry but since funds were limited, he became a part time student so that he could work part time. This didn’t make him eligible for a college deferment and as a result, Clarence was drafted into the Army in 1967. He trained to be a combat medic and was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in November of 1967, and it was his actions on the 10th of January 1968, that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp5c. Sasser distinguished himself while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. He was serving as a medical aidman with Company A, 3d Battalion, on a reconnaissance-in-force operation. His company was making an air assault when suddenly it was taken under heavy small-arms, recoilless-rifle, machine-gun, and rocket fire from well-fortified enemy positions on three sides of the landing zone. During the first few minutes, over 30 casualties were sustained. Without hesitation, Sp5c. Sasser ran across an open rice paddy through a hail of fire to assist the wounded. After helping one man to safety, he was painfully wounded in the left shoulder by fragments of an exploding rocket. Refusing medical attention, he ran through a barrage of rocket and automatic-weapons fire to aid casualties of the initial attack and, after giving them urgently needed treatment, continued to search for other wounded. Despite two additional wounds immobilizing his legs, he dragged himself through the mud toward another soldier 100 meters away. Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sp5c. Sasser reached the man, treated him, and proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative safety. There he attended their wounds for five hours until they were evacuated. Sp5c. Sasser's extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Clarence would stay the night while the Air Force dropped napalm near the area to keep the enemy away, which worked. He recalls hearing men crying out for help and knowing there was nothing he could do for them. He was rescued at about four in the morning and was sent home to recover after a fifty-one-day tour of duty. Once recovered, he learned that he was to receive the Medal of Honor, which he did on the 7th of March 1969, in a ceremony at the White House from President Nixon. Clarence was joined in Washington DC by his mother and sisters, saying that has a poor farm family that it was an enjoyable experience and that it was the best thing that ever happened to the family. He also recalled being amazed to be in the same room with Audie Murphy, Pappy Boyington, and Jimmy Doolittle and now being a part of the same group.
Clarence attended Texas A&M University after the Army and married Ethel in the early 70s. The couple have three sons, Ross, Benjamin, and Billy, and Clarence went on to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Houston. Clarence Eugene Sasser is 75 years old at the time of this recording.
