Medal of Honor, Roy M. Wheat, Vietnam War August 11, 1967
A sudden hiss in the grass told three Marines their lives were about to end. In the blink of an eye, Lance Corporal Roy M. Wheat made the decision that only a true brother-in-arms could—throwing himself on the mine to save them.
August 12, 2025
Roy M. Wheat
Vietnam War
August 11, 1967
A sudden hiss in the grass told three Marines their lives were about to end. In the blink of an eye, Lance Corporal Roy M. Wheat made the decision that only a true brother-in-arms could—throwing himself on the mine to save them.
Summary of Action:
On August 11, 1967, Lance Corporal Roy M. Wheat was serving with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. His mission that day, alongside two fellow Marines, was to provide security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road. The men established defensive positions in a nearby tree line, after which Wheat moved to reconnoiter the rear area for possible enemy presence.
As he returned to within 10 feet of his companions, Wheat inadvertently triggered a well-hidden bounding antipersonnel mine. The distinctive hissing of its burning time fuse filled the air—giving the Marines only seconds to act. Without hesitation, Wheat shouted a warning to his comrades and hurled himself onto the device, absorbing the full force of the explosion. His instantaneous, unselfish act saved the lives of his fellow Marines from certain injury or death, at the cost of his own.
Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. L/Cpl. Wheat and 2 other marines were assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province. After the marines had set up security positions in a tree line adjacent to the work site, L/Cpl. Wheat reconnoitered the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence of guerrillas. He then returned to within 10 feet of the friendly position, and here unintentionally triggered a well concealed, bounding type, antipersonnel mine. Immediately, a hissing sound was heard which was identified by the 3 marines as that of a burning time fuse. Shouting a warning to his comrades, L/Cpl. Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the mine, absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his body. The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor of his unselfish action saved his fellow marines from certain injury and possible death, reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
