Medal of Honor candidate Sgt. Ardie R. Copas hailed

Medal of Honor candidate Sgt. Ardie R. Copas hailed from Fort Pierce, Fla. Then-Spc. 4 Ardie R. Copas is being recognized for his valor and actions in the early morning hours of May 12, 1970, while serving as a machine-gunner near Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia. Copas’ company was suddenly attacked by a large hostile force firing recoilless rifles, rocket propelled grenades, and automatic weapons. After Copas began returning fire, his armored car was struck by an enemy recoilless round, knocking him to the ground and injuring four American soldiers beside the vehicle. Ignoring his own wounds, Copas quickly remounted the burning vehicle and commenced firing his machine-gun at the belligerents. Braving the hostile fire directed at him, and the possible detonation of the mortar rounds inside the track, Copas maintained a heavy volume of suppressive fire on the foe while the wounded Americans were safely evacuated. Undaunted, he continued to place devastating volleys of fire upon the adversary until he was mortally wounded when another enemy round hit his vehicle. Copas was killed in action after repelling the enemy under heavy fire, holding his post while his wounded comrades were evacuated. Shyrell Jean Copas will be accepting the Medal of Honor award from President Barack Obama on March 18, 2014, on behalf of her father.