MOH

Medal of Honor: Thomas J. McMahon – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Three men lay wounded in the open under relentless fire. He went out to them—again and again—until the fire finally took him. 19 March 1969

March 19, 2026

Name: Thomas J. McMahon
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division
Place: Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Portland, Maine
Born: 24 June 1948, Washington, D.C.



Summary of Action

On 19 March 1969, Sp4c. Thomas J. McMahon was serving as a medical aidman when his company came under heavy fire from well-fortified enemy positions in Quang Tin Province.

Three soldiers were seriously wounded and left exposed in the kill zone.

Without hesitation, McMahon left cover and ran through intense enemy fire to reach the first casualty. Under fire, he administered aid and carried the wounded man back to safety.

He immediately turned back.

Crossing the same fire-swept ground, he reached a second wounded soldier. As he worked to evacuate him, a mortar round exploded nearby, wounding McMahon.

He refused treatment.

Despite his own injuries, he carried the second man to safety—and then, without pause, moved out once more into the storm of fire.

His objective: the third wounded soldier still lying exposed.

Before he could reach him, McMahon was mortally wounded.

Medal of Honor Citation

McMAHON, THOMAS J.

Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division.
Place and date: Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 19 March 1969.
Entered service at: Portland, Maine.
Born: 24 June 1948, Washington, D.C.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. McMahon distinguished himself while serving as medical aid man with Company A. When the lead elements of his company came under heavy fire from well-fortified enemy positions, 3 soldiers fell seriously wounded. Sp4c. McMahon, with complete disregard for his safety, left his covered position and ran through intense enemy fire to the side of 1 of the wounded, administered first aid and then carried him to safety. He returned through the hail of fire to the side of a second wounded man. Although painfully wounded by an exploding mortar round while returning the wounded man to a secure position, Sp4c. McMahon refused medical attention and heroically ran back through the heavy enemy fire toward his remaining wounded comrade. He fell mortally wounded before he could rescue the last man. Sp4c. McMahon’s undaunted concern for the welfare of his comrades at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.