Medal of Honor: Gary W. Martini – Vietnam War – April 21, 1967

Name: Gary W. Martini
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company F, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Date of Action: April 21, 1967
Location: Binh Son, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 21 April 1967, during Operation UNION, Private First Class Gary W. Martini distinguished himself while serving with Company F near Binh Son, Vietnam.

Elements of his company encountered a firmly entrenched enemy force and immediately moved to attack.

Martini’s platoon charged across an open rice paddy to within twenty meters of the enemy trench line.

There they were suddenly hit by hand grenades, intense small-arms fire, automatic weapons, and mortar fire.

The devastating barrage killed fourteen Marines and wounded eighteen more.

The survivors were pinned behind a low paddy dike.

With complete disregard for his own safety, Martini crawled over the dike into an exposed position only fifteen meters from the enemy trenches.

Under constant hostile fire, he hurled grenades into the enemy line, killing several defenders.

He then crawled back through the fire and rejoined his platoon after they had reached the relative safety of a trench.

From there he saw several wounded Marines lying helpless in the fire-swept paddy.

Knowing that one man had already been killed trying to reach them, Martini still charged into the open.

He dragged one wounded Marine back to friendly lines.

Though seriously wounded during that rescue, he refused to stop.

Again he crossed the deadly ground toward another wounded Marine lying only twenty meters from the enemy trench line.

As he reached the fallen man, Martini suffered a mortal wound.

Ignoring his own condition, he began dragging the Marine back toward safety.

When fellow Marines tried to come help him, Martini called out for them to remain under cover, concerned only for their lives.

With one final effort, he moved the wounded Marine close enough to be pulled to safety before collapsing from his wounds.

By sacrificing his own life to save two comrades and protect the remainder of his platoon, Gary W. Martini reflected the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

MARTINI, GARY W.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 21 April 1967, during Operation UNION, elements of Company F, conducting offensive operations at Binh Son, encountered a firmly entrenched enemy force and immediately deployed to engage them. The marines in Pfc. Martini’s platoon assaulted across an open rice paddy to within 20 meters of the enemy trench line where they were suddenly struck by hand grenades, intense small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. The enemy onslaught killed 14 and wounded 18 marines, pinning the remainder of the platoon down behind a low paddy dike. In the face of imminent danger, Pfc. Martini immediately crawled over the dike to a forward open area within 15 meters of the enemy position where, continuously exposed to the hostile fire, he hurled hand grenades, killing several of the enemy. Crawling back through the intense fire, he rejoined his platoon which had moved to the relative safety of a trench line. From this position he observed several of his wounded comrades lying helpless in the fire-swept paddy. Although he knew that 1 man had been killed attempting to assist the wounded, Pfc. Martini raced through the open area and dragged a comrade back to a friendly position. In spite of a serious wound received during this first daring rescue, he again braved the unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another companion lying wounded only 20 meters in front of the enemy trench line. As he reached the fallen marine, he received a mortal wound, but disregarding his own condition, he began to drag the marine toward his platoon’s position. Observing men from his unit attempting to leave the security of their position to aid him, concerned only for their safety, he called to them to remain under cover, and through a final supreme effort, moved his injured comrade to where he could be pulled to safety, before he fell, succumbing to his wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable, Pfc. Martini unhesitatingly yielded his life to save 2 of his comrades and insure the safety of the remainder of his platoon. His outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty reflected the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.