Photos courtesy of Phyllis J. Hunsley (widow) and Merna Gill (sister) Patrol Base Hunsley was named in honor of First Lieutenant Dennis R. Hunsley, a platoon leader of Company C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, who was killed in a night action March 15, 1969. 1Lt. Hunsley's platoon was riding point, patrolling the area between Cu Chi and Tay Ninh when they were ambushed and hit. During the firefight, 1Lt. Hunsley pulled five wounded platoon members from an APC before he himself was killed by hostile fire. For his heroic actions in that fight, 1Lt. Hunsley was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Just two weeks before this action, 1Lt. Hunsley had received the Silver Star for another firefight the previous year when his quick thinking and accurate fire saved his men from injury during an ambush. Respected by his platoon (his men called him "Baby-San" because of his slight stature), 1Lt. Hunsley was described as a caring person who, before his service in Vietnam had been a Boy Scout, and as a high school student volunteered more than 500 hours at his local hospital in Hannibal, Mo. From http://www.i-kirk.info/tales/vn6c01.html REMEMBERED BY HIS FAMILY AND HIS COMRADES IN THE 5TH INFANTRY Bobcats

 

24 Oct 2002 Richard Casey and my husband Dennis on Christmas leave, 1966, Hannibal, Missouri. Richard was our son's godfather. Phyllis J. Hunsley E-mail address is not available.

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam APO San Francisco 96375 2 May 1969 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 1553 AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. HUNSLEY, DENNIS R     FIRST LIEUTENANT    INFANTRY United States Army, Co C, 1st Bn, 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross Date action: 15 March 1969 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: First Lieutenant Hunsley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 March 1969 as a platoon leader during a night reconnaissance-in-force operation near Cu Chi. He was in charge of his company's point element when a large North Vietnamese Army force ambushed it, killing three and wounding fifteen within minutes. Lieutenant Hunsley dismounted his armored personnel carrier, which had been hit by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade, and carried two casualties to safety. Returning to his vehicle, he found that the carrier along side it had received a direct hit and he made a third and fourth trip through the communists' fusillade carrying two more wounded men back to the medic. When a North Vietnamese automatic weapons position opened fire from the flank while he was organizing a withdrawal, he led an assault that silenced the emplacement, and then carried another casualty to the medic track. Remaining behind until his men had escaped, Lieutenant Hunsley climbed into a damaged armored personnel carrier and was driving it from the battle area when he was fatally wounded by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. First Lieutenant Hunsley's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 15 July 1963.

 

CITATION for the Award of the SILVER STAR MEDAL HUNSLEY, DENNIS R., O5347868, FIRST LIEUTENANT Co C, 1st Bn, 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division Awarded: Silver Star Date Action: 8 December 1968 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For gallantry in action: Lieutenant Hunsley distinguished himself by heroic actions on 8 December 1968, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry in the Republic of Vietnam. While in a night laager position Company C came under intense enemy fire. When Lieutenant Hunsley observed an enemy rocket propelled grenade crew preparing to destroy several vehicles, he secured a 90mm recoilless rifle and neutralized the hostile insurgents. Lieutenant Hunsley then aided in the evacuation of the wounded, even though the area was being heavily mortared. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the thwarting of the enemy force and the success of the mission. Lieutenant Hunsley's personal bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, AR 672-5-1, and USARV Reg 672-1.

 

1 April 1969 Dear Mrs. Hunsley, Words are so inadequate to express sympathy over your great loss, but I feel I must try. Denny was the finest Lieutenant in this battalion and all of us will miss him. I know that you have already received a letter from Denny's company commander, Captain Bane, who loved your husband like a younger brother, so I will not go into details. You and your young son deserve to know my feelings about Denny. There are some men who stand out no matter what they do - Lt. Hunsley was one of them. I had just asked him a few days before to be a little less brave. But he was too great a soldier and leader - he felt his place was always "up front". Denny was one of our real fighting heroes of this war. There are a few others who may have received higher awards, but there have been none any braver. In the night action in which Denny was killed he was all over the battlefield pulling out his wounded and directing fire upon the enemy. For his valorous acts that night, he has been recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross. I feel certain, that despite your great grief, you are proud of your husband. I wanted you and Denny's son to know that his Dad was one of the finest soldiers to ever serve our country. Our thoughts and prayers have been very much with you during your difficult days. If I can be of any assistance, please write. Sincerely, Bill Klein Lt. Col. Wm. E. Klein Commanding Officer 1st Bn, 5th Inf (Mech)

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