David M. Jolley Jr

David Jolley, Jr., native born in Jeffersonville, Indiana and the son of the late David Jolley, Sr. and late Anna Bell Jolley. He is being honored as a hero. He married his high school sweetheart, Brenda Gales, and shortly afterwards he was sent on tour to Vietnam. During this time his wife gave birth to their daughter Michelle Jolley Koppen. David intended to make the U.S. Army his career.  However, on May 22, 1966 Specialist Four Jolley, sacrificed his life to save fellow soldiers during a fierce battle name, “Crazy Horse” near the Binh Dinh in Vietnam.

For his heroism and gallantry, SP4 David Jolley was awarded the Silver Star, one of the military highest honors.  He is Clark County’s only Silver Star recipient from the Vietnam era. His commander in Vietnam, Capt. William Mozey, noted David’s popularity. “He was one of C 1/8’s most popular and finest machine gunners,” Mozey said.

 David had a lot to live for.  He had a loving family, good friends, his wife and daughter. In the heat of the battle, however, David chose to save others and not himself.  The citation was presented along with the Silver Star, to David’s widow declared on May 21, 1966.  David’s company made an assault on a Viet Cong stronghold and was brought under intense sniper and automatic weapons fire.  Still, David’s squad maneuvered to a place where they could deliver devastating fire upon the enemy positions. The enemy, soldiers tried to escape by running up a ridge toward where David’s squad was located.       

Despite the heavy return fire.” the citation reads, “Specialist Four Jolley, without hesitation and completely disregarding his own personal safety, exposed himself in a pathway and heroically destroyed the several fleeing enemy soldiers who rushed his squad.  Continuing the assault in the most difficult jungle terrain, Specialist Four Jolley was hit and mortally wounded.” A medic was called but David shouted, “Don’t worry about me. Keep going! Keep Going!”  The citation indicates that, 

David’s heroism served as an inspiration to his comrades and inspired them to greater heights of achievements.  David survived the night, but died the next day.  Many survived that terrible battle and were able to return safely home because of David’s heroic deeds.