Honor: Silver Star Medal

Honor: Silver Star Medal

Citation: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on Nov. 23, 1969. Sgt. Pluchinsky immediately deployed his men into strategic areas and directed their devastating suppressive fire on the insurgent emplacements. Disregarding his personal safety, Sgt. Pluchinsky maneuvered through the hostile fire, raking the area to silence bunker after bunker with fragmentation grenades. Observing a wounded comrade, he again exposed himself to carry the casualty to the medical evacuation helicopter. Sgt. Pluchinsky’s unquestionable valor in close combat against a hostile force is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Age: 66

Hometown: Campbell.

Residence: Poland.

Education: Campbell Memorial High School, 1968 graduate.

Employment: General Motors Lordstown Complex for 36 years, from 1970 to 2006.

Family: Wife, Jewel (Steadman), Struthers High School, 1971 graduate; daughter, Lori Pluchinsky, policewoman, Tucson, Ariz.

Army: Enlisted August 1968, discharged as a staff sergeant in August 1970.

In Vietnam: Sept. 1, 1969, to Aug. 8, 1970.

Units in Vietnam: 1st Infantry Division, platoon sergeant; and the 25th Infantry.

Primary job in each unit: Infantry soldier.

Family members who served in the military: Daughter, Lori, former Air Force captain; father, Andrew, Marine Corps master technical sergeant serving on Guam and Guadalcanal in World War II; and a brother, Martin, who served 20 years in the Marines.

Other decorations: Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Republic of Vietnam Campaign ribbons.

Source: Robert E. Pluchinsky