Staff Sergeant Laszlo Rabel, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on November 13, 1968 in Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Team Delta, 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Patrol), 173d Airborne Brigade. Rabel was 31 years old.
Rabel was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on April 7, 1970 — the White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family.
Rabel was born on September 21, 1937 in Budapest, Hungary — one of 3 recipients born in Hungary. His Medal of Honor is credited to Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Rabel is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 45 credited to Minnesota.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Rabel distinguished himself while serving as leader of Team Delta, 74th Infantry Detachment. At 1000 hours on this date, Team Delta was in a defensive perimeter conducting reconnaissance of enemy trail networks when a member of the team detected enemy movement to the front. As S/Sgt. Rabel and a comrade prepared to clear the area, he heard an incoming grenade as it landed in the midst of the team's perimeter. With complete disregard for his life, S/Sgt. Rabel threw himself on the grenade and, covering it with his body, received the complete impact of the immediate explosion. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, S/Sgt. Rabel averted the loss of life and injury to the other members of Team Delta. By his gallantry at the cost of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, S/Sgt. Rabel has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (November 13, 1968).
- Age at death: 31
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Minnesota →
Timeline
- September 21, 1937Born in Budapest, Hungary
- November 13, 1968Act of valor — Binh Dinh Province, Republic of VietnamAge 31. Team Delta, 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Patrol), 173d Airborne Brigade Killed in action.
- April 7, 1970Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Laszlo Rabel (born László Rábel; September 21, 1937 – November 13, 1968) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
From the Wikipedia article “Laszlo Rabel”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
