As he moved in to destroy a booby-trapped tunnel, First Lieutenant Ruppert Sargent observed an enemy soldier emerge and throw two hand grenades, which landed between himself, the platoon sergeant, and forward observer. Sargent fired at the enemy then “unhesitatingly threw himself over the two grenades” mortally wounding him.
Having just been named his company’s Executive Officer, Sargent wasn’t even supposed to be out on patrol. “Boss, there was no way in hell I’m going to let you come out here by yourself” was Sargent’s reply when his commander, Captain Watty Smith, realized he’d accompanied the others on mission.
It was Smith who carried Sargent’s body from the jungle and it was Smith who recommended Sargent for the Medal of Honor. Sargent was returned home and buried in a subdued ceremony at the National Cemetery in his hometown of Hampton, Virginia.
A year later, when Sargent’s Medal of Honor was approved, his wife declined to accept the award based on their beliefs as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Only after the Army agreed to a private presentation did his wife accept. On March 10, 1969, General Donley Bolton presented the Medal of Honor to Sargent’s widow and two children at their home. There were no others present.
Sargent was just 29 years old when he died March 16 in 1967. He was the first black officer awarded the nation’s highest commendation for valor and Hampton Virginia’s only resident to ever receive it*. Today the Ruppert L. Sargent Building, a governmental building in Hampton, honors it’s greatest citizen.
* There are nine additional #medalofhonor recipients buried at Hampton National Cemetery. Sargent is the only individual from Hampton, Virginia.
