Width Style: | person |
Paul Ronald Lambers | |
Birth Place: | Holland, Michigan, U.S. |
Death Place: | Lake Michigan, U.S. |
Placeofburial: | Memorial marker in Graafschap Cemetery, Holland, Michigan |
Placeofburial Label: | Place of burial |
Allegiance: | United States of America |
Branch Label: | Branch |
Branch: | United States Army |
Serviceyears Label: | Service years |
Serviceyears: | 1965–1970 |
Rank: | Staff sergeant |
Unit: | 27th Infantry Regiment |
Battles Label: | Wars |
Battles: | Vietnam War |
Paul Ronald Lambers (June 25, 1942 – December 1, 1970) 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.
Lambers joined the Army from his birth city of Holland, Michigan in 1965,[1] and by August 20, 1968, was serving as a Sergeant in Company A, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. During a firefight on that day, in Tây Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Lambers took command after the platoon leader was wounded. For his conspicuous leadership during the battle he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and awarded the Medal of Honor in December 1969.
Walking along Lake Michigan two years later in inclement weather, he was swept off a breakwater and drowned at age 28. His body was never recovered.
Staff Sergeant Lambers' official Medal of Honor citation reads: