Marine Staff Sergeant Jerry Lasalvia, son of Mrs. Phelomena Lasalvia of 1062 Washington Street, Norwood, has received the Bronze Star Medal from General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., Commandant of the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, Cal.
The medal was presented for. “Heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force as the Assistant Battalion Advisor to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division, Republic of Viet Nam Armed Forces, on March 31, 1965 ”
When the battalion he was advising came under heavy attack by Viet Cong forces, he took action to aid his counterparts in repelling the attack.
Due to overwhelming enemy forces the battalion he was advising was forced to withdraw twice before they were able to stop the enemy advance.
During the withdrawals and while the unit was under attack, S/Sgt Lasalvia “with complete disregard for his own safety, and despite heavy mortar, recoilless rifle, and machine gun fire, moved repeatedly to exposed positions, to better assist his counterparts,” according to the citation he received.
S/Sgt. Lasalvia is presently assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)