Veterans Month
November 2003
NS Veterans Remember
Wayne Confer
Communications and Signals
New Castle, Pa.
Award of the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device to Wayne Confer, Specialist Four, USA, Company B, 459th Signal Battalion
"For heroism in connection with military operations against as armed hostile force. SP4 Confer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 24 October 1968. While driving a truck from Company B, 459th Signal Battalion Site at Tan Dan to the company area at Ninh Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, when a 2 ½ ton truck struck a mine several meters in front of SP4 Confer's vehicle. The truck was overturned by the explosion and eight soldiers of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam were thrown off to the side of the road. SP4 Confer maneuvered his vehicle up close to the overturned vehicle and stopped. He dismounted the vehicle and immediately began to help the wounded and dazed soldiers into his truck. SP4 Confer had assisted several of the soldiers when he began to draw extremely heavy sniper fire. His assistant driver immediately returned the fire and the two men continued to help the wounded and dazed soldiers into their vehicle. Still drawing sniper fire, they completely disregarded their own personal safety in order to give aid to the helpless soldiers. Only after all the soldiers were safely loaded in the back of the truck did SP4 Confer turn to the task of quelling the sniper fire and escaping the area. Once clear of the ambush zone, he went to the nearest station to call in a medical evacuation mission. Because of his personal courage in the face of grave and imminent danger, SP4 Confer was able to save seven of the eight soldiers. The eighth died as a result of the sniper fire encountered as SP4 Confer carried him to his vehicle. SP4 Confer's conspicuous bravery, his personal concern for his fellow man, and his intrepidity while completely disregarding his own personal safety is in keeping with the highest military traditions and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army."