MOH

Medal of Honor: Oscar P. Austin – U.S. Marine Corps – Vietnam War

In the darkness west of Da Nang, grenades and rifle fire tore into the perimeter. He ran toward the wounded—and shielded them with his life.

February 24, 2026

Name: Oscar P. Austin
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF
Place: West of Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Phoenix, Arizona
Born: 15 January 1948, Nacogdoches, Texas

Summary of Action

During the early morning hours, Pfc. Oscar P. Austin’s observation post came under a fierce ground assault by a large North Vietnamese Army force. The attack was supported by heavy hand grenades, satchel charges, and intense small-arms fire.

Amid the chaos, one of his fellow Marines was wounded and left unconscious in a dangerously exposed position. Without hesitation, Austin left the relative safety of his fighting hole and sprinted across the fire-swept terrain to rescue him.

As he approached the casualty, he saw an enemy grenade land nearby. Instantly reacting, he leaped between the grenade and the wounded Marine, absorbing the full force of the explosion.

Despite his painful injuries, Austin rose and turned back toward the wounded man. At that moment, he saw a North Vietnamese soldier aiming his weapon at the unconscious Marine.

With full awareness of the likely outcome, and thinking only of protecting his comrade, Pfc. Austin threw himself between the enemy and the wounded Marine. He was mortally wounded in the act.

His indomitable courage and selfless devotion upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps. He gave his life so another might live.

Medal of Honor Citation

AUSTIN, OSCAR P.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF.
Place and date: West of Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, 23 February 1969.
Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz.
Born: 15 January 1948, Nacogdoches, Tex.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an assistant machine gunner with Company E, in connection with operations against enemy forces. During the early morning hours Pfc. 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 1 of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Pfc. 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, Pfc. Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier, and, in doing, was mortally wounded. Pfc. 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.