Medal of Honor: Marvin G. Shields – Vietnam War – June 10, 1965

Name: Marvin G. Shields
Rank: Construction Mechanic Third Class
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Seabee Team 1104
Date of Action: June 10, 1965
Location: Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 10 June 1965, Construction Mechanic Third Class Marvin G. Shields displayed extraordinary heroism while serving with Seabee Team 1104 during the defense of the Special Forces camp at Dong Xoai in the Republic of Vietnam.

The compound occupied by Detachment A-342 of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) came under an overwhelming assault by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong regiment armed with machine guns, heavy weapons, and small arms.

Early in the battle, Shields was wounded.

Despite his injuries, he refused evacuation and spent the next several hours moving through the embattled compound under constant enemy fire, resupplying ammunition to defenders while returning fire himself whenever possible.

Approximately three hours into the engagement, the Viet Cong launched a massive close-range assault employing flamethrowers, hand grenades, and automatic weapons.

During this attack, Shields was wounded a second time.

Ignoring his own condition, he helped carry a more seriously wounded comrade to safety before immediately returning to the defensive line, where he continued fighting for another four hours.

As the battle raged, an enemy machine-gun position outside the perimeter inflicted devastatingly accurate fire and threatened the survival of everyone inside the camp.

When the commander asked for a volunteer to accompany him in an attempt to destroy the emplacement with a 3.5-inch rocket launcher, Shields stepped forward without hesitation.

Advancing through intense hostile fire, the two men successfully engaged and destroyed the enemy machine-gun position, eliminating one of the greatest dangers facing the defenders and undoubtedly saving many lives.

While returning to his own defensive position after completing the mission, Shields was mortally wounded by enemy fire.

His unwavering courage, determination despite repeated wounds, and willingness to volunteer for one final mission in the face of almost certain death made Construction Mechanic Third Class Marvin G. Shields the first United States Navy Seabee to receive the Medal of Honor. His actions reflected the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

SHIELDS, MARVIN G.

Rank and organization: Construction Mechanic Third Class, U.S. Navy, Seabee Team 1104.

Place and date: Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam, 10 June 1965.

Entered service at: Seattle, Wash.

Born: 30 December 1939, Port Townsend, Wash.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Although wounded when the compound of Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, came under intense fire from an estimated reinforced Viet Cong regiment employing machine guns, heavy weapons, and small arms, Shields continued to resupply his fellow Americans who needed ammunition and to return the enemy fire for a period of approximately three hours, at which time the Viet Cong launched a massive attack at close range with flamethrowers, hand grenades, and small-arms fire. Wounded a second time during this attack, Shields nevertheless assisted in carrying a more critically wounded man to safety and then resumed firing at the enemy for four more hours. When the commander asked for a volunteer to accompany him in an attempt to knock out an enemy machine-gun emplacement which was endangering the lives of all personnel in the compound because of the accuracy of its fire, Shields unhesitatingly volunteered for this extremely hazardous mission. Proceeding toward their objective with a 3.5-inch rocket launcher, they succeeded in destroying the enemy machine-gun emplacement, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of their fellow servicemen in the compound. Shields was mortally wounded by hostile fire while returning to his defensive position. His heroic initiative and great personal valor in the face of intense enemy fire sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.