Donald Sidney Skidgel
Encyclopedia
Donald Sidney Skidgel was a United States Army
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in the Vietnam War
.
, and by September 14, 1969 was serving as a Sergeant in Troop D, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On that day, near Song Be in the Republic of Vietnam
, Skidgel's unit was guarding a convoy
when it came under enemy attack. In an attempt to draw the enemy fire away from the convoy's command group, Skidgel manned a machine gun
in his vehicle while his driver steered through intense fire toward the command element. Skidgel, mortally wounded during the effort, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
Skidgel, aged 20 at his death, was buried in Sawyer Cemetery, Plymouth, Maine
.
and the bridge dedication ceremony took place October 15th, 2011. Among the speakers present at the dedication were Senator Susan Collins
, U.S. Representative Mike Michaud
, General John Libby, State Representative Kenneth Fredette and Gail Kelly representing Senator Olympia Snowe
's office.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Biography
Skidgel joined the Army from Bangor, MaineBangor, Maine
Bangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States, and the major commercial and cultural center for eastern and northern Maine...
, and by September 14, 1969 was serving as a Sergeant in Troop D, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On that day, near Song Be in the Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, Skidgel's unit was guarding a convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
when it came under enemy attack. In an attempt to draw the enemy fire away from the convoy's command group, Skidgel manned a machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
in his vehicle while his driver steered through intense fire toward the command element. Skidgel, mortally wounded during the effort, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
Skidgel, aged 20 at his death, was buried in Sawyer Cemetery, Plymouth, Maine
Plymouth, Maine
Plymouth is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,257 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.3 square miles , of which, 29.9 square miles of it is land and 1.3 square miles of it ...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Sergeant Skidgel's official Medal of Honor citation reads:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Skidgel distinguished himself while serving as a reconnaissanceReconnaissanceReconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
section leader in Troop D. On a road near Song Be in Binh Long Province, Sgt. Skidgel and his section with other elements of his troop were acting as a convoy security and screening force when contact occurred with an estimated enemy battalionBattalionA battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
concealed in tall grass and in bunkerBunkerA military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
s bordering the road. Sgt. Skidgel maneuvered off the road and began placing effective machinegun fire on the enemy automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade positions. After silencing at least 1 position, he ran with his machinegun across 60 meters of bullet-swept ground to another location from which he continued to rake the enemy positions. Running low on ammunition, he returned to his vehicle over the same terrain. Moments later he was alerted that the command element was receiving intense automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire. Although he knew the road was saturated with enemy fire, Sgt. Skidgel calmly mounted his vehicle and with his driver advanced toward the command group in an effort to draw the enemy fire onto himself. Despite the hostile fire concentrated on him, he succeeded in silencing several enemy positions with his machinegun. Moments later Sgt. Skidgel was knocked down onto the rear fender by the explosion of an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. Ignoring his extremely painful wounds, he staggered back to his feet and placed effective fire on several other enemy positions until he was mortally wounded by hostile small arms fire. His selfless actions enabled the command group to withdraw to a better position without casualties and inspired the rest of his fellow soldiers to gain fire superiority and defeat the enemy. Sgt. Skidgel's gallantry 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 U.S. Army.
Donald Sidney Skidgel Memorial Bridge
In 2011, the bridge on Route 2 spanning the Sebasticook River in Newport Maine was replaced and the bridge was dedicated to Skidgel's memory bearing the name "The Donald Sidney Skidgel Memorial Bridge". The renaming of the bridge to honor the Medal of Honor recipient was signed into law on May 26th, 2011 by Maine Governor Paul LePagePaul LePage
Paul Richard LePage is an American businessman and politician who is serving as the 74th and current Governor of Maine. A Republican, he was previously mayor of Waterville from 2003 to 2011, and was a city councilor before that...
and the bridge dedication ceremony took place October 15th, 2011. Among the speakers present at the dedication were Senator Susan Collins
Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins is the junior United States Senator from Maine and a member of the Republican Party. First elected to the Senate in 1996, she is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs...
, U.S. Representative Mike Michaud
Mike Michaud
Michael Herman Michaud is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district comprises nearly 80% of the state by area and includes the cities of Lewiston, Auburn, Bangor, and Presque Isle...
, General John Libby, State Representative Kenneth Fredette and Gail Kelly representing Senator Olympia Snowe
Olympia Snowe
Olympia Jean Snowe , née Bouchles, is the senior United States Senator from Maine and a member of the Republican Party. Snowe has become widely known for her ability to influence the outcome of close votes, including whether to end filibusters. She and her fellow Senator from Maine, Susan Collins,...
's office.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War