Medal of Honor: John E. Warren Jr. – Vietnam War – Republic of Vietnam – January 1969

Name: John E. Warren Jr.
Rank: First Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company C, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22d Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Place: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: New York, New York
Born: Brooklyn, New York

---

Summary of Action

On 14 January 1969, First Lieutenant John E. Warren Jr. was serving as a platoon leader with Company C, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, during combat operations in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam. His unit was moving through a rubber plantation to reinforce another friendly element when it came under intense fire from a well-fortified enemy force occupying bunker positions.

Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Warren led several of his men forward through the hail of enemy fire, maneuvering aggressively toward the hostile emplacements. Closing the distance under fire, he advanced to within approximately six feet of one of the enemy bunkers and prepared to destroy it with a hand grenade.

At that critical moment, an enemy grenade was thrown into the center of his small group. Instantly recognizing the mortal danger to his men, Lieutenant Warren acted without pause. Thinking only of those he led, he deliberately fell toward the grenade, placing his own body between the explosion and his soldiers.

The blast took his life, but his sacrifice saved three men from serious or fatal injury. By giving his life to protect his platoon at the moment of greatest danger, First Lieutenant John E. Warren Jr. embodied the highest ideals of leadership, courage, and selfless devotion to others.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Warren distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a platoon leader with Company C. While moving through a rubber plantation to reinforce another friendly unit, Company C came under intense fire from a well-fortified enemy force. Disregarding his safety, 1st Lt. Warren with several of his men began maneuvering through the hail of enemy fire toward the hostile positions.

When he had come to within 6 feet of one of the enemy bunkers and was preparing to toss a hand grenade into it, an enemy grenade was suddenly thrown into the middle of his small group. Thinking only of his men, 1st Lt. Warren fell in the direction of the grenade, thus shielding those around him from the blast. His action, performed at the cost of his life, saved 3 men from serious or mortal injury. First Lieutenant Warren’s ultimate action of sacrifice to save the lives of his men was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.