12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
t. Col. Clark Welch, one of the most decorated Soldiers during Vietnam, spoke to classes and a public forum at the Command and General Staff College on May 19.
Welch received the Distinguished Service Cross for action at Ong Thanh, Vietnam, on Oct. 17, 1967. He also received three Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars, and five Purple Hearts in Vietnam.
Ong Thanh was a hellish firefight between 142 Americans and approximately 1,400 enemy soldiers. Then 1st Lieutenant Welch commanded D Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry. His company was the trail company in a two-company movement. The lead company, A Company, was nearly wiped out in the first few minutes of the battle. Welch, a Special Forces officer and former enlisted soldier, led his company in defensive efforts while doing all he could to recover casualties despite being wounded five times during the battle. His actions at Ong Thanh are described in "They Marched Into Sunlight" by David Maraniss and "The Beast Was Out There" by Jim Shelton. Shelton, who retired as a brigadier general, had been the battalion executive officer prior to Ong Thanh and recommended Welch for the Medal of Honor following the battle.