lest we forget

SAFFELL, RONALD CORY

Rank / Branch:

  • SPECIALIST FOURTH CLASS, U.S. ARMY

Date Of Birth:

  • 1949-10-29

Country Of Loss:

  • SOUTH VIETNAM

Status:

  • HOSTILE, SMALL ARMS

Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground:​

  • GROUND

Other:

  • NOT MARRIED

Unit:

  • FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION

Date Of Loss:

  • 1968-12-16

Loss Coordinates:

  • PHUOC LONG

Catagory:

  • BOBY RETURNED

Awards & Decorations:

  • SEE BIO

VETERAN HAGI0GRAPHY

  • SPECIALIST FOURTH CLASS, U.S. ARMY, ODESSA, ECTOR, TEXAS

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • COMBAT INFANTRYMAN'S BADGE, SILVER STAR, BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM MILITARY MERIT MEDAL, VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM, VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL

BIOGRAPHY

  • Ronnie Saffell was born October 29, 1949 in Midland, Texas. He was the youngest of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Saffell. The family moved to Odessa and Ronnie attended Cameron Elementary, Bowie Junior High School, and Odessa High School. At Odessa High School, he was on the swim team. After his junior year he elected to to join the Army. He enlisted while visiting his brother in San Francisco. He completed basic and AIT at Fort Lewis, Washington in infantry. He received his GED in the service. He loved swimming and fishing.
  • Ronnie departed for his tour in Vietnam on April 4, 1968. He was assigned as an infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, First Cavalry Division. Ronnie was killed in action on December 16, 1968. Ronnie was buried with full military honors at the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Odessa. He received the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star posthumously.
  • He was survived by his parents and his brother, Larry of San Francisco and his sister, Mrs. Jim Cherry of Denton, Texas and his maternal grandparents, Rev and Mrs. James Jackson of Midland.
  • The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Ronald Cory Saffell (ASN: RA-18920075), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Saffell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 16 December 1968, while serving as a rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne) (Airmobile, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during a search and clear mission near Song Be, Republic of Vietnam. When his unit became heavily engaged with a large enemy force and a fellow soldier was wounded a short distance from his position, Specialist Saffell exposed himself to the intense hostile fire as he made two unsuccessful attempts to reach the injured man. During each attempt, Specialist Saffell placed a heavy volume of fire upon the insurgents' positions. While trying a third time to reach his comrade, Specialist Saffell was mortally wounded by the searing enemy fire. His gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. General Orders: Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), General Orders No. 15510 (December 30, 1968) Action Date: December 16, 1968 Service: Army Rank: Specialist Fourth Class Company: Company B Battalion: 1st Battalion (Airborne) (Airmobile) Regiment: 12th Cavalry Regiment Division: 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
  • ODESSA HIGH SCHOOL 1966
  • JUNIOR YEAR ODESSA HIGH SCHOOL 1967
  • SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDEN'S CEMETERY