Medal of Honor Winner Returns to WSU

OGDEN, Utah – Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and Weber State University alumnus Brian M. Thacker will share memories of his Vietnam War experience that led to the Congressional Medal of Honor. His presentation, which is free and open to the public, will be held April 9 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall.

Thacker was a member of the Army ROTC. Following his 1969 graduation, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant. Thacker went to Vietnam in 1970 where he served with the 1st Battalion, 92nd Artillery.

In 1971, Thacker took charge of a six-man observation team. On March 31, they came under attack. Awakened by the sound of gunshots, Thacker encouraged his unit to fight. They occupied an exposed area for four hours, while defending air strikes and enemy fire. In the afternoon, the situation became untenable, so Thacker stayed alone inside the perimeter with his M-16 rifle to occupy enemy forces. In an act of supreme courage, he called for American artillery fire on his own position to allow his comrades more time to withdraw from the area safely.

President Richard Nixon awarded Thacker the Medal of Honor for his bravery on Oct. 15, 1973.

“It’s been 46 years since Mr. Thacker last walked the grounds at Weber State, and it will be an honor to have him return to speak to our students,” said Roger Gindlesperger, assistant military science professor and recruiting operations officer for WSU’s ROTC.

In lieu of a formal lecture, Thacker plans to hold a discussion in which audience members can participate and ask questions.

“Mr. Thacker likes to be interactive,” Gindlesperger said. “Although the Vietnam War is history for many of our students, his story will inspire those in attendance and help them understand the war’s significance 40 years after America’s participation ended.”

The Weber State Army ROTC and the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences are sponsoring the discussion.

For a high-resolution photo, please visit the following link:

http://wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/April-2015/i-FznpFts/0/X2/Thacker-X2.jpg

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
 
Author:
Jennifer Perry, College of Social Behavioral Sciences
801-626-7948 jenniferperry1@weber.edu
Contact:
Roger L. Gindlesperger, assistant military science professor and recruiting operations officer for WSU’s ROTC program
801-626-8609 rgindlesperger@weber.edu