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Indiana Rangers to receive award for Vietnam service during NGAUS conference in Indianapolis
Press Contact: John Goheen
202-408-5882
[email protected]
Jennifer Hickey
202-253-7499
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 12, 2026) — The voice of nearly 45,000 current and former National Guard officers today applauded the approval of the Indiana National Guard’s Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry for a Presidential Unit Citation for its service in the Vietnam War.
The award will be presented to a group of unit members Aug. 29 during the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Aug. 28-31 in Indianapolis.
“We are so proud to be able to host the Indiana Rangers and play a role in seeing these American heroes receive this long-overdue honor,” said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the association’s president.
The PUC is the U.S. military’s highest unit award. It is given to units for extraordinary heroism, gallantry, and determination in action against an armed enemy under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions.
The recognition comes more than 50 years after the unit returned home from Vietnam in 1969. It was one of the most decorated units of the war, earning 19 Silver Stars, one Soldiers Medal, 123 Bronze Stars (88 with “V” device for valor), 101 Purple Hearts, 111 Air Medals and 183 Army Commendation Medals (29 with “V” device), according to the Army Historical Foundation.
But the Indiana Army Guard company had previously never received a unit award.
Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., spearheaded the effort to change that. She put the unit in for the PUC earlier this year.
“It has been a tremendous honor to help recognize these incredible Hoosier heroes,” Spartz said in a press release today announcing the award.
“The Indiana Rangers demonstrated extraordinary courage under some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable,” Spartz added. “While their individual heroism was recognized many times over, recognition of the unit as a whole has been overdue since the Nixon era. More than half a century later, our nation is finally honoring what these brave men accomplished together.”
Added Maj. Gen. Larry Muennich, “The Indiana Rangers of the 151st Infantry Regiment set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire our force today.
“They lived the Warrior Ethos in the most unforgiving conditions, demonstrating a fierce loyalty to their brothers in arms and an unwavering commitment to the mission,” added Muennich. “We could not be prouder of this historic heroism. The Presidential Unit Citation is a testament to their grit, their sacrifice, and a legacy that will never be forgotten.”
The conference will also include speeches by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, the acting chief of staff of the Army, and Space Force Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, the director of Golden Dome.
Panel discussions on asymmetric warfare, post-traumatic growth and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are also on the agenda.
The industry exhibition will feature approximately 340 companies and organizations that serve or do business with the Guard.
Media interested in covering the Indiana Rangers ceremony must RSVP to Lauren Houck with the Indiana National Guard Public Affairs Officer at [email protected] to receive media credentials.
Reporters, Editors & Producers: Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn is available for interviews or to appear as a subject matter expert on issues related to the National Guard. Contact John Goheen at 202-408-5882 to schedule an interview or appearance.
About NGAUS: The association includes nearly 45,000 current or former Guard officers. It was created in 1878 to provide unified National Guard representation in Washington. In their first productive meeting after Reconstruction, militia officers from the North and South formed the association with the goal of obtaining better equipment and training by educating Congress on Guard requirements. Today, 148 years later, NGAUS has the same mission.
