Specialist Fourth Class Dennis W. Drullinger, US Army served in Vietnam 1966-1968 with the US Army 21st Infantry Regiment, and the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. In January 1968, his unit, while operating in the Que Son Valley was viciously attacked by North Vietnamese Forces. Specialist Fourth Class Drullinger refused to leave his position and opened fire on the enemy with his rifle and with hand grenades giving his fellow soldiers time to regroup and counterattack. He was wounded, captured, and later escaped during the enemy attack.
He personally destroyed a machine gun position and killed ten enemy soldiers. For his performance in this action, he was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge. Specialist Fourth Class Drullinger was discharged in 1968 because of disabilities caused by wounds suffered in Vietnam.
Specialist Fourth Class Drullinger has given numerous talks about his Vietnam experiences to various organizations in Tulsa. He has coached Little League Baseball and held Gun Safety Classes for our youth. In April 2004 the Governor of the State of Oklahoma awarded Specialist Fourth Class Drullinger the Oklahoma Cross of Valor.
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