Medal of Honor: Richard Allan Pittman – Vietnam War, July 23, 1970

Richard Allan Pittman
Rank: Sergeant (then Lance Corporal)
Conflict: Vietnam War
Unit: Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), FMF
Date of Action: July 24, 1966
Location: Near the Demilitarized Zone, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action:
On a narrow jungle trail near the DMZ, Lance Corporal Richard Pittman heard the desperate calls of Marines pinned down ahead—ambushed by a well-entrenched and numerically superior enemy force. Without hesitation, Pittman traded his rifle for a machine gun and belts of ammunition, then charged alone into the kill zone. Advancing under withering fire at point-blank range, he silenced one enemy position and pressed forward, taking out two more automatic weapons nests in his relentless push to reach the wounded.

When he arrived at the forwardmost point of contact, Pittman faced a ferocious frontal assault by 30 to 40 enemy soldiers. In the middle of the trail, exposed and alone, he stood his ground—firing his machine gun until it jammed, then grabbing a fallen enemy’s submachine gun and a Marine’s pistol to continue the fight. Even as his ammunition ran dry, he hurled his last grenade before returning to his unit. Pittman’s one-man assault broke the enemy attack and saved the lives of countless Marines. His courage that day was absolute—unyielding, fearless, and without regard for his own survival.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While Company I was conducting an operation along the axis of a narrow jungle trail, the leading company elements suffered numerous casualties when they suddenly came under heavy fire from a well-concealed and numerically superior enemy force. Hearing the engaged Marines’ calls for more firepower, Sgt. Pittman quickly exchanged his rifle for a machine gun and several belts of ammunition, left the relative safety of his platoon, and unhesitatingly rushed forward to aid his comrades.

Taken under intense enemy small-arms fire at point-blank range during his advance, he returned the fire, silencing the enemy position. As Sgt. Pittman continued to forge forward to aid members of the leading platoon, he again came under heavy fire from two automatic weapons which he promptly destroyed. Learning that there were additional wounded Marines 50 yards further along the trail, he braved a withering hail of enemy mortar and small-arms fire to continue onward. As he reached the position where the leading Marines had fallen, he was suddenly confronted with a bold frontal attack by 30 to 40 enemy.

Totally disregarding his safety, he calmly established a position in the middle of the trail and raked the advancing enemy with devastating machine gun fire. His weapon rendered ineffective, he picked up an enemy submachine gun and, together with a pistol seized from a fallen comrade, continued his lethal fire until the enemy force had withdrawn. Having exhausted his ammunition except for a grenade which he hurled at the enemy, he then rejoined his platoon. Sgt. Pittman’s daring initiative, bold fighting spirit, and selfless devotion to duty inflicted many enemy casualties, disrupted the enemy attack, and saved the lives of many of his wounded comrades. His personal valor at grave risk to himself reflects the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service.