The Ultimate Sacrifice

Setting aside politics, this Memorial Day, we honor the men, women, their families and friends worldwide who unselfishly answer the call to serve their countries. There are many stories to tell, this is one of them.

Specialist 4, Leslie H. Sabo Jr. distinguished himself, May 10, 1970, in Se San, Cambodia, while serving as a rifleman in Company B, 3d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.

Members of B. Co. were ambushed by a large enemy force. While conducting a reconnaissance patrol, 22-year-old Sabo, charged an enemy position, killing several enemy soldiers. Immediately thereafter, he assaulted an enemy flanking force, successfully drawing their fire away from friendly soldiers and ultimately forcing the enemy to retreat.

When a grenade landed nearby a wounded comrade, Sabo picked up the grenade threw it away while shielding his buddy with his own body, thus absorbing the brunt of the blast and saving the man's life.

Seriously wounded by the blast, Sabo, nonetheless, retained the initiative and single- handedly charged an enemy bunker that had inflicted severe damage on the platoon. He received several serious wounds from withering automatic weapons fire in the process. Despite being mortally injured, he crawled towards the enemy emplacement and, when in position, threw a grenade into the bunker. The resulting explosion silenced the enemy fire, but also ended Spc. 4 Sabo's life.

This story may have been untold if it were not for veterans who remembered. 42 years later, this past May 16th, Specialist 4 Sabo was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony. Sabo's widow was awarded the medal. Sabo's parents did not live to learn of their son's incredible act of bravery.