Medal of Honor, Joe C. Paul, Vietnam War, August 18, 1965

Name: Joe C. Paul
War: Vietnam War
Date: August 18, 1965

Summary of Action

In the searing heat of Vietnam near Chu Lai, Marines of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines found themselves pinned down under a storm of enemy fire. Mortars, recoilless rifles, and automatic weapons unleashed a deadly barrage as five Marines lay helplessly wounded, caught in the open rice paddies directly in front of their platoon.

Realizing that hesitation meant certain death for his comrades, Lance Corporal Joe Paul made a fateful decision. Without regard for his own safety, he sprinted across the exposed field and placed himself between the wounded and the entrenched Viet Cong. Firing his automatic weapon with relentless determination, he drew the enemy’s fury onto himself, buying the precious moments needed for others to reach and evacuate the casualties.

White phosphorous rifle grenades rained down as Paul held his position. Even after being critically wounded, he refused to withdraw. He continued to deliver suppressive fire until his strength finally gave way and he collapsed. Paul was evacuated, but his wounds proved fatal. His unyielding courage and selfless devotion ensured that several of his fellow Marines lived to fight another day.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. In violent battle, L/Cpl. Paul’s platoon sustained 5 casualties as it was temporarily pinned down, by devastating mortar, recoilless rifle, automatic weapons, and rifle fire delivered by insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in well entrenched positions. The wounded marines were unable to move from their perilously exposed positions forward of the remainder of their platoon, and were suddenly subjected to a barrage of white phosphorous rifle grenades. L/Cpl. Paul, fully aware that his tactics would almost certainly result in serious injury or death to himself, chose to disregard his safety and boldly dashed across the fire-swept rice paddies, placed himself between his wounded comrades and the enemy, and delivered effective suppressive fire with his automatic weapon in order to divert the attack long enough to allow the casualties to be evacuated. Although critically wounded during the course of the battle, he resolutely remained in his exposed position and continued to fire his rifle until he collapsed and was evacuated. By his fortitude and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, he saved the lives of several of his fellow marines. His heroic action served to inspire all who observed him and reflect the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.