Medal of Honor: Terrence Collinson Graves – U.S. Marine Corps – Vietnam War

Name: Terrence Collinson Graves
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: 3d Force Reconnaissance Company, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF

Place: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: New York
Born: 6 July 1945, Corpus Christi, Texas

Summary of Action

On 16 February 1968, while leading an eight-man long-range reconnaissance patrol in Quang Tri Province, Second Lieutenant Terrence C. Graves observed seven enemy soldiers approaching his concealed position.

Reacting instantly, he deployed his Marines and directed effective fire, eliminating the immediate threat. Shortly afterward, while conducting a search of the area with two patrol members, the team came under a heavy volume of small-arms and automatic-weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force.

When one Marine was wounded, Lt. Graves moved through the fire-swept terrain to his radio. Calmly directing suppressive fire, he requested air support and skillfully adjusted artillery and helicopter gunship fire onto the enemy positions. After attending to the wounded, he again moved forward to assess the battlefield, personally leading an assault that eliminated remaining hostile forces.

As the patrol maneuvered toward a landing zone for extraction, it was again hit by intense fire. Two additional Marines—and Lt. Graves himself—were wounded. Refusing medical treatment, he continued directing air strikes and artillery while coordinating his men’s defensive fire.

He guided the extraction aircraft into the landing zone and ensured his Marines boarded. Realizing one wounded Marine had not embarked, he ordered the helicopter to depart and returned under fire to reach the casualty. Despite dwindling ammunition, he directed supporting arms until a second helicopter arrived. During the intensified enemy fire, the helicopter was struck and crashed shortly after liftoff, killing all aboard.

Lt. Graves’ extraordinary leadership, courage, and unwavering devotion to his men embodied the highest traditions of the Marine Corps.

Medal of Honor Citation

GRAVES, TERRENCE COLLINSON

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Force Reconnaissance Company, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF.
Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16 February 1968.
Entered service at: New York.
Born: 6 July 1945, Corpus Christi, Tex.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon commander with the 3d Force Reconnaissance Company. While on a long-range reconnaissance mission, 2d Lt. Graves’ 8-man patrol observed 7 enemy soldiers approaching their position. Reacting instantly, he deployed his men and directed their fire on the approaching enemy. After the fire had ceased, he and 2 patrol members commenced a search of the area, and suddenly came under a heavy volume of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force. When 1 of his men was hit by the enemy fire, 2d Lt. Graves moved through the fire-swept area to his radio and, while directing suppressive fire from his men, requested air support and adjusted a heavy volume of artillery and helicopter gunship fire upon the enemy. After attending the wounded, 2d Lt. Graves, accompanied by another marine, moved from his relatively safe position to confirm the results of the earlier engagement. Observing that several of the enemy were still alive, he launched a determined assault, eliminating the remaining enemy troops. He then began moving the patrol to a landing zone for extraction, when the unit again came under intense fire which wounded 2 more marines and 2d Lt. Graves. Refusing medical attention, he once more adjusted air strikes and artillery fire upon the enemy while directing the fire of his men. He led his men to a new landing site into which he skillfully guided the incoming aircraft and boarded his men while remaining exposed to the hostile fire. Realizing that 1 of the wounded had not embarked, he directed the aircraft to depart and, along with another marine, moved to the side of the casualty. Confronted with a shortage of ammunition, 2d Lt. Graves utilized supporting arms and directed fire until a second helicopter arrived. At this point, the volume of enemy fire intensified, hitting the helicopter and causing it to crash shortly after liftoff. All aboard were killed. 2d Lt. Graves’ outstanding courage, superb leadership and indomitable fighting spirit throughout the day were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.