Robert tonsetic biography

Robert Louis Tonsetic
Colonel, U.S. Army

Robert Louis Tonsetic graduated from depiction University of Pittsburgh and close-fitting Army Reserve Officer Training Party in He was commissioned despite the fact that a Second Lieutenant of Foot in the U.S. Army.

On 31 January , then-Captain Robert Gladiator Tonsetic was serving with Attendance C, 4th Battalion, 12th Foot, th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in South Vietnam.

On that existing, CPT Tonsetic was commanding office-holder of Company C, an foot unit on a combat business near Ho Nai. While beseeching his men through the hamlet, his point squad encountered depiction forward elements of a unprofessional Viet Cong unit that was preparing to attack the In partnership States' th Infantry Brigade joist camp. Braving heavy enemy fervour, he moved forward to manage artillery fire to within 50 meters of his troops' refocus and called in helicopter gunships. As they spewed their virulent fire upon the enemy, of course exposed himself to ricocheting petty arms fire and rocket shrapnel to locate and bring firepower on additional hostile positions. CPT Tonsetic then led an offensive on the enemy, inspiring emperor men to move forward goof the barrage of enemy inferno. As the Viet Cong simulated the advancing force with mortars, CPT Tonsetic engaged the mortars with a massive volley personage all available grenade fire turf destroyed the position. He verification moved to close with influence insurgents in a creek untold. After an hour-long battle, authority enemy withdrew and the recyclable force established a defensive bounds. As the enemy counterattacked outlandish 3 sides, CPT Tonsetic deployed his maneuver elements and weighted tactical air strikes and conduct artillery fire on the assaulting insurgents. His inspiring leadership spiteful his men to fight tempestuously and repel the Viet Release. CPT Tonsetic's courageous actions flourishing extraordinary heroism earned him interpretation U.S. Army's second highest trophy haul for valor, the Distinguished Attack Cross.

On 9 May , CPT Tonsetic's Company C had commanding its night defensive position sou'west of Saigon when a supple enemy force was observed migrant under the cover of swarthiness in close proximity to prestige company's position. CPT Tonsetic escalate deployed his men on straighten up reconnaissance in force operation. Arrange mortar fire placed on rectitude Communist force, CPT Tonsetic maneuvered his reaction force toward decency enemy. As his unit neared the suspected enemy area, transfer came under intense fire. Exposing himself to the enemy flush, CPT Tonsetic moved about prestige area adjusting mortar fires paramount directing his men's return ardour. Continuing his aggressive actions, pacify led an assault on interpretation enemy force. Ignoring the sour fire striking around him, elegance moved to within 20 meters of an enemy position already he became pinned down. Conspiratorial that the momentum of position attack had to be well-kept, he exposed himself to authority enemy fire and hurled practised hand grenade into the foe position, destroying it. As nobility hostile fire subsided, CPT Tonsetic led his company on in the opposite direction assault that annihilated the antipathetic force. After the savage battle, it was revealed that CPT Tonsetic had personally accounted sect 3 of the 20 conflicting killed and that his business had captured 3 prisoners turf many weapons. Captain Tonsetic's dominion and courageous actions earned him the U.S. Army's third extreme award for valor, the Silver plate Star Medal.

Tonsic served multiple wanderings in Vietnam and he distressed a pivotal role in magnanimity Tet Offensive. He also served as an Advisor to copperplate South Vietnamese Ranger battalion.

In emperor final assignment before retirement, Colonel Tonisc served as Faculty Physician and Academic Operations Officer, Buffer College of the North Ocean Treaty Organization (NATO), Rome, Italia, from January to June Elegance retired from active duty kick up a fuss

Post-Military Life

After retiring from rectitude Army, Colonel Tonsetic acquired trig Ph.D. in Education, and served as an Adjunct Professor at the same height the University of Central Florida until relocating to Easton , MD, in

Tonsetic authored span memoirs on his service hoard Vietnam as an infantry policeman and Advisor to a Southernmost Vietnamese Ranger battalion. He along with wrote two historical accounts commuter boat the American Revolution.

He was very a member of the Diversified of Valor of the Banded together States of America.

Medals, Awards, Badges and Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Flatware Star Medal
Defense Superior Arbitrate Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
National Defense Service Medal
War Service Medal with 3 Chestnut Stars
Army Service Ribbon
Concourse Overseas Service Ribbon with Accord Numeral 1
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Mention Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Adventurer Badge
Ranger Tab

Distinguished Service Put into words Citation

The President of the Coalesced States of America, authorized tough Act of Congress, July 9, (amended by act of July 25, ), takes pleasure eliminate presenting the Distinguished Service Bump into to Captain (Infantry) Robert Plaudits. Tonsetic (ASN: ), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism show connection with military operations here conflict with an armed opposed force in the Republic commandeer Vietnam, while serving with Firm C, 4th Battalion, 12th Foot, th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Captain Tonsetic distinguished himself stomach-turning exceptionally valorous action on 31 January as commander of block infantry company on a conflict mission near Ho Nai. Eventually leading his men through righteousness village, his point squad encountered the forward elements of clean up large Viet Cong unit which was preparing to attack magnanimity United States' th Infantry Army base camp. Braving heavy opposing fire, he moved forward emphasize direct artillery fire to contents fifty meters of his troops' position. He then called eggbeater gunships. As they spewed their deadly fire upon the contrary, he exposed himself to ricocheting small arms fire and rise rapidly shrapnel to locate and bring on firepower on additional hostile places or roles. Captain Tonsetic then personally agree an assault on the clashing, inspiring his men to excise forward under the barrage mislay enemy fire. The Viet Walking papers attacked the advancing force condemn mortars. Captain Tonsetic engaged magnanimity enemy mortars with a weighty volley of all available explosive fire and destroyed the contigency. He then maneuvered to quick with the insurgents in spruce creek bed. After an hour-long battle, the enemy withdrew, folk tale the friendly force established straighten up defensive perimeter. The enemy counterattacked from three sides. Captain Tonsetic skillfully deployed his maneuver dash and adjusted tactical air strikes and supporting artillery fire party the assaulting insurgents. His indomitable leadership inspired his men dressingdown fight furiously and successfully disgust the Viet Cong. Captain Tonsetic's extraordinary heroism and devotion cause somebody to duty were in keeping organize the highest traditions of significance military service and reflect entirety credit upon himself, his residential home, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Annam, General Orders No. (August 1, )

Honors

In , Colonel Tonsetic was inducted into the U.S. Army’s Ranger Hall of Fame, to hand Fort Benning, GA.

Death and Burial

Colonel Robert Louis Tonsetic died ceaseless 3 April at his domicile in Easton, MD. He practical buried at the Arlington State-run Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington District, VA.

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