RABEL, LASZLO
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 74th Infantry Detachment (Long
Range Patrol), 173d Airborne Brigade.
Place and date: Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 13 November 1968.
Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minn. Born: 21 September 1939, Budapest,
Hungary. 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.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 74th Infantry Detachment (Long
Range Patrol), 173d Airborne Brigade.
Place and date: Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 13 November 1968.
Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minn. Born: 21 September 1939, Budapest,
Hungary. 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.
