University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame
Butler "Sonny" Tucker
- Induction:
- 2001
Sonny Tucker was a two-way end for Coach Thad (Pie) Vann during the 1957, 1958 and 1959 seasons and was a key ingredient in the team’s success over that period including the UPI College Division National Championship in 1958.
The teams that he played on posted a 23-7 record during his career and the defense on which he starred on recorded 12 shutouts in those 30 games. Only six times did teams score more than one touchdown against them in a game.
After leaving Southern Miss and spending a year of teaching and coaching high school football at Monticello High School before entering the United States Army as a lieutenant. Among the first American troops in Viet Nam as a combat unit, Captain Tucker was stationed in Okinawa when the order came to go. Twenty-four hours later, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was in Viet Nam.
For Captain Butler (Sonny) Tucker and the fighting men of the 173rd Airborne Brigade November 8th, 1965 was the longest day they would ever live. For some it was the shortest and their last.
On that day Captain Tucker and his men went out on a “search and destroy” mission 20 miles from Saigon to a jungle in War Zone D which had been occupied by the Viet Cong for many years. After four days nothing, then they encountered a full regiment of Viet Cong regulars. The company under Captain Tucker’s command were reinforced by two companies and received air help, but the enemy numbered 1,600. Bugles sounded, and led by flame throwers and symbol bearers, the Viet Cong charged the American forces in human waves.
When it was all over Captain Tucker and Company C would wipe out four enemy automatic weapons positions and direct his own unit’s fire and supporting helicopter fire on other enemy. In addition to leading his own men, Captain Tucker also gave first aid to the wounded. The enemy repelled, he established a defense perimeter and directed artillery fire throughout the night to prevent a Viet Cong counterattack.
His leadership that day and his bravery and the bravery of hundreds more that day insured the success of the first true battle between American forces and the Viet Cong. For his heroism that day Captain Tucker was awarded the Silver Star.
His unit received the first Presidential Unit Citation in Viet Nam for the actions against the enemy forces on Hill 65, that November 8-9 and two of his soldiers were the first soldiers to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor in Viet Nam.
He would serve in Viet Nam during the periods of 1964 through 1966 and 1969 through 1970. In addition to the Silver Star his decorations include three Bronze Stars, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and four Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry.
He retired from the United States Army in February of 1981 and now serves as Director of Pastoral Care at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis.
The teams that he played on posted a 23-7 record during his career and the defense on which he starred on recorded 12 shutouts in those 30 games. Only six times did teams score more than one touchdown against them in a game.
After leaving Southern Miss and spending a year of teaching and coaching high school football at Monticello High School before entering the United States Army as a lieutenant. Among the first American troops in Viet Nam as a combat unit, Captain Tucker was stationed in Okinawa when the order came to go. Twenty-four hours later, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was in Viet Nam.
For Captain Butler (Sonny) Tucker and the fighting men of the 173rd Airborne Brigade November 8th, 1965 was the longest day they would ever live. For some it was the shortest and their last.
On that day Captain Tucker and his men went out on a “search and destroy” mission 20 miles from Saigon to a jungle in War Zone D which had been occupied by the Viet Cong for many years. After four days nothing, then they encountered a full regiment of Viet Cong regulars. The company under Captain Tucker’s command were reinforced by two companies and received air help, but the enemy numbered 1,600. Bugles sounded, and led by flame throwers and symbol bearers, the Viet Cong charged the American forces in human waves.
When it was all over Captain Tucker and Company C would wipe out four enemy automatic weapons positions and direct his own unit’s fire and supporting helicopter fire on other enemy. In addition to leading his own men, Captain Tucker also gave first aid to the wounded. The enemy repelled, he established a defense perimeter and directed artillery fire throughout the night to prevent a Viet Cong counterattack.
His leadership that day and his bravery and the bravery of hundreds more that day insured the success of the first true battle between American forces and the Viet Cong. For his heroism that day Captain Tucker was awarded the Silver Star.
His unit received the first Presidential Unit Citation in Viet Nam for the actions against the enemy forces on Hill 65, that November 8-9 and two of his soldiers were the first soldiers to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor in Viet Nam.
He would serve in Viet Nam during the periods of 1964 through 1966 and 1969 through 1970. In addition to the Silver Star his decorations include three Bronze Stars, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and four Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry.
He retired from the United States Army in February of 1981 and now serves as Director of Pastoral Care at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis.
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