Distinguished Service Cross

Ranger Hall of Fame

Airborne Ranger Infantry

Combat Infantryman’s Badge

101^st Airborne

Disabled Hero

As a 27-year-old captain, Mansfield led his company of 101st Airborne Division troops near Hai Lang in the I Corps area near the border dividing North and South Vietnam. North Vietnam had announced it would observe a seven-day truce beginning Jan. 27, 1968--the Tet New Year. Instead of the announced cease fire, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched country-wide attacks against South Vietnamese cities beginning the night of Jan. 30-31 aimed at starting a revolt among the citizens of the South.

Even though advance intelligence had foretold a major enemy offensive operation was planned, American military units were hard pressed by the sudden attacks by swarms of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops.

Mansfield, who had been wounded in combat earlier in the week, was leading his men in a fight against a large enemy force on Feb. 4, 1968, when he was again shot. Although sustaining a spinal cord injury, he remained with his troops to ensure their safety and the evacuation of the wounded before he permitted his medevac to a nearby Navy support hospital. A recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross Bronze Star, two Purple Heart medals, Combat Infantryman's Badge and Presidential Unit Citation, Mansfield was medically retired in September 1968, about the time he was celebrating his 28th birthday. Although his life had been spared, Mansfield faced a long, difficult recovery and rehabilitation.


......."If you dream about shooting me, you better wake up and apologize" Reservoir Dog

Airborne Sniper! Hoorah!