Jon R. Cavaiani
| Jon Robert Cavaiani | |
|---|---|
Cavaiani in 2004
|
|
| Born |
August 2, 1943 Murphys, County Offaly, Ireland |
| Died | July 29, 2014 (aged 70) Stanford, California, United States |
| Buried | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968–1990 |
| Rank | Sergeant Major |
| Unit | 5th Special Forces Group |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Legion of Merit Bronze Star Purple Heart |
Jon Robert Cavaiani (August 2, 1943 – July 29, 2014) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Cavaiani was born in Murphys, County Offaly, Ireland, and came to England a short time afterwards.
He came to the United States in 1947 and in 1953 moved to the small farming community of Ballico, California to be with his stepfather, Ugo Cavaiani.
In 1961 Ugo formally adopted Jon and in 1968 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
Cavaiani was sent to Vietnam in 1970 with the Special Forces and by June 4, 1971 was serving as a Staff Sergeant in Task Force 1 Advisory Element, USARV Training Advisory Group. This unit was formerly known as Command and Control North, MACV-SOG. On that day, in the Republic of Vietnam, his platoon came under intense enemy attack. Cavaiani organized the unit's defense and, when evacuation by helicopter became necessary, he voluntarily stayed on the ground and directed the aircraft, which successfully evacuated most of the platoon. Cavaiani and a small group were left behind. During a major enemy attack the next morning, he ordered the remaining men to escape while he stayed and provided suppressive fire to cover their retreat. He was captured and spent the next two years as a prisoner of war.
Jon R. Cavaiani was released by the Provisional Government of Vietnam on April 27, 1973.
His other assignments included tours of duty in the Middle East, South America, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Cavaiani spent three years in Berlin, Germany as the Senior Operations Sergeant Major for British, French and U.S. Forces.
He was selected and assigned to the United States’ most elite Counter-Terrorist Force.
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Wikipedia