302 Awards Compiled & Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

Vietnam War

*Anderson, James

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: February 28, 1967

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to James Anderson, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 28 February 1967, while serving with the Company F, Second Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action northwest of Cam Lo, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. Company F was advancing in dense jungle northwest of Cam Lo in an effort to extract a heavily besieged reconnaissance patrol. Private First Class Anderson's platoon was the lead element and had advanced only about 200 meters when they were brought under extremely intense enemy small-arms and automatic weapons fire. The platoon reacted swiftly, getting on line as best they could in the thick terrain, and began returning fire. Private First Class Anderson found himself tightly bunched together with the other members of the platoon only 20 meters from the enemy positions. As the fire fight continued several of the men were wounded by the deadly enemy assault. Suddenly, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the Marines and rolled alongside Private First Class Anderson's head. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he reached out, grasped the grenade, pulled it to his chest and curled around it as it went off. Although several Marines received shrapnel from the grenade, his body absorbed the major force of the explosion. In this singularly heroic act, Private First Class Anderson saved his comrades from serious injury and possible death. His personal heroism, extraordinary valor, and inspirational supreme self-sacrifice reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 1/22/1947 at Los Angeles, California

Home Town: Los Angeles, California

When James Anderson earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam, he became the first Black Marine in history to receive the award.

Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Company E, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: August 24, 1969

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Richard Allen Anderson, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 24 August 1969, while serving as an assistant team leader with Company E, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. While conducting a patrol during the early morning hours Lance Corporal Anderson's reconnaissance team came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons and machinegun fire from a numerically superior and well concealed enemy force. Although painfully wounded in both legs and knocked to the ground during the initial moments of the fierce fire fight, Lance Corporal Anderson assumed a prone position and continued to deliver intense suppressive fire in an attempt to repulse the attackers. Moments later he was wounded a second time by an enemy soldier who had approached to within eight feet of the team's position. Undaunted, he continued to pour a relentless stream of fire at the assaulting unit, even while a companion was treating his leg wounds. Observing an enemy grenade land between himself and the other Marine, Lance Corporal Anderson immediately rolled over and covered the lethal weapon with his body, absorbing the full effects of the detonation. By his indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Anderson was instrumental in saving several Marines from serious injury or possible death. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Born: 4/16/1948 at Washington, Washington, D.C.

Home Town: Houston, Texas

*Austin, Oscar Palmer

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: February 23, 1969

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Oscar Palmer Austin, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 February 1969, while serving as an assistant machine gunner with Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against enemy forces west of Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours Private First Class Austin's observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges, and small arms fire. Observing that one of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Private First Class Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the Marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby and, reacting instantly, leaped between the injured Marine and the lethal object, absorbing the effects of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the Marine, Private First Class Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier, and, in doing, was mortally wounded. Private First Class Austin's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 1/15/1948 at Nacogdoches, Texas

Home Town: Phoenix, Arizona

*Barker, Jedh Colby

Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Company F, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: September 21, 1967

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Jedh Colby Barker, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 21 September 1967, while serving as a machine gunner with Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action near Con Thien, Republic of Vietnam. During a reconnaissance operation Lance Corporal Barker's squad was suddenly hit by enemy sniper fire. The squad immediately deployed to a combat formation and advanced to a strongly fortified enemy position, when it was again struck by small arms and automatic weapons fire, sustaining numerous casualties. Although wounded by the initial burst of fire, Lance Corporal Barker boldly remained in the open, delivering a devastating volume of accurate fire on the numerically superior force. The enemy was intent upon annihilating the small Marine force and, realizing that Lance Corporal Barker was a threat to their position, directed the preponderance of their fire on his position. He was again wounded, this time in the right hand, which prevented him from operating his vitally needed machinegun. Suddenly and without warning, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the few surviving Marines. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Lance Corporal Barker threw himself upon the deadly grenade, absorbing with his body the full and tremendous force of the explosion. In a final act of bravery, he crawled to the side of a wounded comrade and administered first aid before succumbing to his grievous wounds. His bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death and reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 6/20/1945 at Franklin, New Hampshire

Home Town: Park Ridge, New Jersey

Barnum, Harvey Curtiss "Barney"

Captain, U.S. Marine Corps

Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: December 18, 1965

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Harvey Curtiss "Barney" Barnum, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 18 December 1965, while serving with the Company H, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force in action outside the village of Ky Phu, Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam. When the company was suddenly pinned down by a hail of extremely accurate enemy fire and was quickly separated from the remainder of the battalion by over 500 meters of open and fire-swept ground, and casualties mounted rapidly. Lieutenant Barnum quickly made a hazardous reconnaissance of the area, seeking targets for his artillery. Finding the rifle company commander mortally wounded and the radio operator killed, he, with complete disregard for his safety, gave aid to the dying commander, then removed the radio from the dead operator and strapped it to himself. He immediately assumed command of the rifle company, and moving at once into the midst of the heavy fire, rallying and giving encouragement to all units, reorganized them to replace the loss of key personnel and led their attack on enemy positions from which deadly fire continued to come. His sound and swift decisions and his obvious calm served to stabilize the badly decimated units and his gallant example as he stood exposed repeatedly to point out targets served as an inspiration to all. Provided with two armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing one platoon in a successful counterattack on the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of two transport helicopters for the evacuation of the dead and wounded. He then assisted in the mopping up and final seizure of the battalion's objective. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

Born: 7/21/1940 at Cheshire, Connecticut

Home Town: Cheshire, Connecticut

*Bobo, John Paul

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Company I, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: March 30, 1967

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to John Paul Bobo, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 30 March 1967, while serving with the Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. Company I was establishing night ambush sites when the command group was attacked by a reinforced North Vietnamese company supported by heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire. Second Lieutenant Bobo immediately organized a hasty defense and moved from position to position encouraging the outnumbered Marines despite the murderous enemy fire. Recovering a rocket launcher from among the friendly casualties, he organized a new launcher team and directed its fire into the enemy machinegun positions. When an exploding enemy mortar round severed Second Lieutenant Bobo's right leg below the knee, he refused to be evacuated and insisted upon being placed in a firing position to cover the movement of the command group to a better location. With a web belt around his leg serving as a tourniquet and with his leg jammed into the dirt to contain the bleeding, he remained in this position and delivered devastating fire into the ranks of the enemy attempting to overrun the Marines. Second Lieutenant Bobo was mortally wounded while firing his weapon into the main point of the enemy attack but his valiant spirit inspired his men to heroic efforts, and his tenacious stand enabled the command group to gain a protective position where it repulsed the enemy onslaught. Second Lieutenant Bobo's superb leadership, dauntless courage, and bold initiative reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 2/14/1943 at Niagara Falls, New York

Home Town: Buffalo, New York

*Bruce, Daniel Dean

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Headquarters & Service Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: March 01, 1969

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Daniel Dean Bruce, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 1 March 1969, while serving as a mortar man with Headquarters and Service Company Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, against the enemy at First Support Base Tomahawk, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. Early in the morning Private First Class Bruce was on watch in his night defensive position at fire support base tomahawk when he heard movements ahead of him. An enemy explosive charge was thrown toward his position and he reacted instantly, catching the device and shouting to alert his companions. Realizing the danger to the adjacent position with its two occupants, Private First Class Bruce held the device to his body and attempted to carry it from the vicinity of the entrenched Marines. As he moved away, the charge detonated and he absorbed the full force of the explosion. Private First Class Bruce's indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty saved the lives of three of his fellow Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 5/18/1950 at Michigan City, Indiana

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

*Burke, Robert Charles

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Company I, 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: May 17, 1968

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Robert Charles Burke, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a machine gunner with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action at Le Nam (1), Go Nai Island, southern Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam on 17 May 1968. While on Operation ALLEN BROOK, Company I was approaching a dry river bed with a heavily wooded tree line that borders the hamlet of Le Nam (1), when they suddenly came under intense mortar, rocket propelled grenades, automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a large, well concealed enemy force which halted the company's advance and wounded several Marines. Realizing that key points of resistance had to be eliminated to allow the units to advance and casualties to be evacuated, Private First Class Burke, without hesitation, seized his machinegun and launched a series of one man assaults against the fortified emplacements. As he aggressively maneuvered to the edge of the steep river bank, he delivered accurate suppressive fire upon several enemy bunkers, which enabled his comrades to advance and move the wounded Marines to positions of relative safety. As he continued his combative actions, he located an opposing automatic weapons emplacement and poured intense fire into the position, killing three North Vietnamese soldiers as they attempted to flee. Private First Class Burke then fearlessly moved from one position to another, quelling the hostile fire until his weapon malfunctioned. Obtaining a casualty's rifle and hand grenades, he advanced further into the midst of the enemy fire in an assault against another pocket of resistance, killing two more of the enemy. Observing that a fellow Marine had cleared his malfunctioning machinegun he grasped his weapon and moved into a dangerously exposed area and saturated the hostile tree line until he fell mortally wounded. Private First Class Burke's gallant actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 11/7/1949 at Monticello, Illinois

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Company H, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: August 07, 1969

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Bruce Wayne Carter, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 7 August 1969, while serving as grenadier with Company H, Second Battalion, Third Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Carter's unit was maneuvering against the enemy during Operation IDAHO CANYON and came under a heavy volume of fire from a numerically superior hostile force. The lead element soon became separated from the main body of the squad by a brush fire. Private First Class Carter and his fellow Marines were pinned down by vicious crossfire when, with complete disregard for his safety, he stood in full view of the North Vietnamese Army soldiers to deliver a devastating volume of fire at their positions. The accuracy and aggressiveness of his attack caused several enemy casualties and forced the remainder of the soldiers to retreat from the immediate area. Shouting directions to the Marines around him, Private First Class Carter then commenced leading them from the path of the rapidly approaching brush fire when he observed a hostile grenade land between him and his companions. Fully aware of the probable consequences of his action but determined to protect the men following him, he unhesitatingly threw himself over the grenade, absorbing the full effects of its detonation with his body. Private First Class Carter's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country .

Born: 5/7/1950 at Schenectady, New York

Home Town: Jacksonville, Florida

Clausen, Raymond Michael

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing

Date of Action: January 31, 1970

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Raymond Michael Clausen, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 31 January 1970, while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Two Hundred Sixty-Three, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen (MAG-16), First Marine Aircraft Wing, during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Participating in a helicopter rescue mission to extract elements of a platoon which had inadvertently entered a minefield while attacking enemy positions, Private First Class Clausen skillfully guided the helicopter pilot to a landing in an area cleared by one of several mine explosions. With 11 Marines wounded, one dead, and the remaining eight Marines holding their positions for fear of detonating other mines, Private First Class Clausen quickly leaped from the helicopter and, in the face of enemy fire, moved across the extremely hazardous mine-laden area to assist in carrying casualties to the waiting helicopter and in placing them aboard. Despite the ever-present threat of further mine explosions, he continued his valiant efforts, leaving the comparatively safe area of the helicopter on six separate occasions to carry out his rescue efforts. On one occasion while he was carrying one of the wounded, another mine detonated, killing a corpsman and wounding three other men. Only when he was certain that all Marines were safely aboard did he signal the pilot to lift the helicopter. By the courageous, determined and inspiring efforts in the face of the utmost danger, Private First Class Clausen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service.

Born: 10/14/1947 at New Orleans, Louisiana

Home Town: New Orleans, Louisiana

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Company M, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Date of Action: March 24, 1969

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Ronald Leroy Coker, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 24 March 1969, while serving as a rifleman with Company M, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy forces in northwest Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. While serving as point man for the Second Platoon, Private First Class Coker was leading his patrol when he encountered five enemy soldiers on a narrow jungle trail. Private First Class Coker's squad aggressively pursued them to a cave. As the squad neared the cave, it came under intense hostile fire, seriously wounding one Marine and forcing the others to take cover. Observing the wounded man lying exposed to continuous enemy fire, Private First Class Coker disregarded his safety and moved across the fire-swept terrain toward his companion. Although wounded by enemy small-arms fire, he continued to crawl across the hazardous area and skillfully threw a hand grenade into the enemy positions, suppressing the hostile fire sufficiently to enable him to reach the wounded man. As he began to drag his injured comrade toward safety, a grenade landed on the wounded Marine. Unhesitatingly, Private First Class Coker grasped it with both hands and turned away from his wounded companion, but before he could dispose of the grenade it exploded. Severely wounded, but undaunted, he refused to abandon his comrade. As he moved toward friendly lines, two more enemy grenades exploded near him, inflicting still further injuries. Concerned only for the safety of his comrade, Private First Class Coker, with supreme effort continued to crawl and pull the wounded Marine with him. His heroic deeds inspired his fellow Marines to such aggressive action that the enemy fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable others to reach him and carry him to a relatively safe area where he succumbed to his extensive wounds. Private First Class Coker's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.