Vietnam War Hero Staff Sgt. Jimmy G. Stewart Remembered for Medal of Honor Valor
Date: May 19, 2025
By: Katie Lange
In the dense jungles of Vietnam, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jimmy G. Stewart gave his life defending wounded comrades during a brutal enemy assault. His extraordinary bravery earned him the Medal of Honor—the United States’ highest military decoration—for valor in combat.
Born on December 25, 1942, in West Columbia, West Virginia, Stewart grew up in Ohio after moving there with his family. He joined the U.S. Army in 1960 and served in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division, where he met and married Gertraud. They had two sons, Robert and John.
By 1965, Stewart had deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), a pioneering unit in helicopter warfare. On May 18, 1966, while defending a position with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, his squad came under heavy attack by North Vietnamese forces. Stewart was the only uninjured soldier in his group.
Refusing to abandon his wounded comrades, Stewart held his position alone for over four hours, repelling three enemy assaults. He returned enemy grenades, retrieved ammunition from fallen soldiers, and fired relentlessly until reinforcements arrived. His defense killed or repelled numerous attackers and saved the lives of five fellow soldiers.
Stewart was later found dead in a shallow enemy trench, still facing the enemy. Around him lay eight dead adversaries, with evidence that more had been dragged away.
On August 24, 1967, Stewart’s widow received the Medal of Honor on his behalf in a Pentagon ceremony attended by his family. His legacy lives on at Stewart Field in Georgia and the Sgt. Jimmy G. Stewart Bridge linking Ohio to West Virginia.
This tribute is part of the “Medal of Honor Monday” series, highlighting stories of those awarded the U.S. military’s highest honor for bravery.
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