Eldon Bargewell
Eldon A. Bargewell | |
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Army Distinguished Service Medal (4)Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (6) Purple Heart |
Major General Eldon Arthur Bargewell (August 13, 1947 – April 29, 2019)[1][2] was a United States Army officer. He served as commander of the U.S. Army's Delta Force unit.
Early life and education
Bargewell was born in Hoquiam, Washington and graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1965, enlisting in the United States Army in 1967.[3]
Military career
Bargewell completed the
Bargewell graduated from
Bargewell's first assignment was as a member of the 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he later served as rifle platoon leader and executive officer. As a captain, Bargewell was assigned as Rifle Company Commander with 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment.[8] In 1981 Bargewell volunteered for and completed a specialized selection and operator training course for assignment to Delta Force where he would serve as Operations Officer, Squadron Executive Officer, Troop commander, Squadron Commander (twice), Deputy Commander and unit commander from July 1996 to July 1998.[9][10]
While in Delta Force Bargewell participated in
He commanded a Delta Force Squadron (A Squadron) during
Bargewell returned to the continental United States, and served as director of the center of operations, plans, and policies ofDistinguished Service Cross
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Eldon A. Bargewell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Command and Control (North), Task Force 1, Studies and Observations Group, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, attached to U.S. Army Vietnam Training Advisory Group (TF1AE), U.S. Army Vietnam Training Support Headquarters. Staff Sergeant Bargewell distinguished himself on 27 September 1971 while serving as a member of a long range reconnaissance team operating deep in enemy territory. On that date, his team came under attack by an estimated 75 to 100 man enemy force. Staff Sergeant Bargewell suffered multiple fragmentation wounds from an exploding B-40 rocket in the initial assault, but despite the serious wounds, placed a deadly volume of machine gun fire on the enemy line. As the enemy advanced, he succeeded in breaking the assault and forced them to withdraw with numerous casualties. When the enemy regrouped, they resumed their assault on the beleaguered team, placing a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire on Staff Sergeant Bargewell's sector of the defensive perimeter. Again he exposed himself to the enemy fire in order to hold his position and prevent the enemy from overrunning the small team. After breaking the enemy assault, the team withdrew to a nearby guard. At the landing zone, Staff sergeant Bargewell refused medical treatment in order to defend a sector of the perimeter, and insured the safe extraction of his team. Staff Sergeant Bargewell's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Death
Bargewell died near his home at the age of 71.
Awards and decorations
Combat Infantryman Badge |
Master Parachutist Badge with USSOCOM background trimming |
Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge
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Special Forces Tab |
Ranger tab |
Parachutist Instructor Badge
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Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
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Distinctive Unit Insignia
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7 Overseas Service Bars |
Bargewell was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 2011.[19]
References
- ^ "Florida Voters, Bargetto, Allison Anne thru Barginda, Charlene". FLVoters.com. Nashua, NH: Tom Alciere. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ Army Times Staff (May 1, 2019). "Retired Army major general dies after lawnmower accident". Army Times. Springfield, VA.
- ^ "Gray's Harbor's Culture of Success". Archived from the original on 2006-06-17. Retrieved 2006-06-02.
- ^ "List of Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross". Archived from the original on 2006-04-27. Retrieved 2006-06-02.
- ^ "Stars and Stripes". Archived from the original on 2005-01-24. Retrieved 2006-06-02.
- ^ "Biography, Eldon A. Bargewell" (PDF). Distinguished Members of the Special Forces Regiment. Ft. Bragg, NC: U.S. Army Special Operations Command. April 5, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-07-16.
- ISBN 978-1-59652-156-8.
- ^ "75th Ranger Association Roster". Archived from the original on 2006-05-16. Retrieved 2006-06-02.
- ^ "Discover Fayetteville". Archived from the original on 2006-06-13. Retrieved 2006-06-02.
- ^ Department of Defense
- ^ ISBN 978-0-312-38439-5p. 40-41.
- ^ Hunter, Thomas B. (29 November 2013). "Operation Acid Gambit – The Rescue of Kurt Muse". SpecialOperations.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2013.
- ^ Department of Defense
- ^ Department of Defense
- ^ "Special Operations Warrior Foundation News Archive". Archived from the original on 2006-06-29. Retrieved 2006-06-02.
- ^ "Release".
- ^ "No direct link ties Marine to deaths" by Denver Post Staff Writers, Denver Post.
- ^ "Haditha probe finds false reports"[dead link] by Thomas E. Ricks, The Washington Post.
- ^ "U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame" (PDF). Worldwide Army Rangers, Inc. June 12, 2015. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
External links
- "House to Look Into Probe of Pendleton Marines" by Tony Perry, LA Times
- "Bargewell, Major General (MG) Eldon A." Dothan Eagle. Eufaula Tribune. 8 May 2019. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.