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Show Brtnze Star Awarded to Area Soldier The Bronze Star Medal, with "V" Device, has been awarded to PFC Perry D. Ekker, of Hanks-ville, Hanks-ville, for heroism in the Vietnam war. Ekker was cited for valorous action as an assistant as-sistant gunner during Operation Op-eration Junction City in the Republic of Vietnam on March 10th. He was a member of Troop E, 17th Cavalry, which was securing sec-uring Artillery Base when it came under heavy mortar mor-tar and recoilless rifle attack. at-tack. Ekker delivered accurate ac-curate fire on the enemy positions from an exposed mortar position throughout through-out the day. During the attack a large fire was started which was intense enough to threaten to ignite 155-mm 155-mm rounds of powder charges in a pit 50 meters from Ekker's mortar position. po-sition. Heat from the fire was intense e nough to scorch the sandbags which protected the mortar positions, po-sitions, but neither heat from the fire, ncr the imminent im-minent threat of the ammunition am-munition blowing up moved mov-ed Ekker from his fire mission. A month later he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism. "PFC Ekker's outstanding outstand-ing display of aggressiveness, aggressive-ness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery were in keeping with the highest traditions of the. military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army," the citation read. PFC Ekker is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Darys Ekker, of Hanksville. His sister, Mrs. Robert Haggatt, resides re-sides in Moab. |