Retired Veteran Receives Bronze Star After 57 Years
A former sergeant finally received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his service in the Vietnam War.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Military Jobs
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Retired Army Lt. Col. David Gauntlett was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor in Salem, Oregon, on October 19, 2026. The honor recognizes his actions maintaining radio communications while under mortar fire at Song Be Base Camp in 1969.
Why it matters
The ceremony follows a five-year effort to reconstruct a lost medal recommendation that originated decades ago. The event highlights the administrative challenges veterans face in securing recognition for past military actions.
Gauntlett maintained radio operations during three days of intense mortar fire in 1969. The successful validation of his recommendation required five years of documentation review.
The players
David Gauntlett
He is a retired Army lieutenant colonel who enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 and served in the Vietnam War.
Val Hoyle
She is the U.S. Representative for Oregon's 4th congressional district whose office provided support for the medal recommendation process.
Dick Gerry
He is a former Air Force captain who helped Gauntlett reconnect with his service history via a veterans website.
The details
Gauntlett, who was 20 years old at the time of the engagement, sustained a shoulder wound from mortar shrapnel while operating a radio at Song Be Base Camp. Supporters and staff from Rep. Val Hoyle's office worked to secure the award after Gauntlett reconnected with former Air Force captain Dick Gerry on a veterans website.
Timeline
1966: Gauntlett enlisted in the Air Force.
May 12-14, 1969: Gauntlett operated a radio at Song Be Base Camp.
1994: Gauntlett retired from the Army.
Oct. 19, 2026: Gauntlett received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.
Market Landscape
The effort to secure this award parallels broader legislative attempts to address long-standing gaps in veteran recognition. Future amendments in the National Defense Authorization Act are expected to simplify the medal recommendation process for other veterans in similar situations.
Veterans seeking to resolve missing service records or award recommendations can contact the offices of their elected representatives for case advocacy. This story underscores the practical value of documentation for service members pursuing federal benefits or recognition.
The takeaway
This case demonstrates that persistence and legislative advocacy can successfully address administrative omissions from decades past. Veterans should maintain comprehensive personal records to facilitate future claims or recognition efforts.
Further reading
Learn more about the local veteran community and transition resources on the Salem Military Jobs page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by U.S. Department of War.
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