Medal of Honor: Thomas P. Noonan Jr. – U.S. Marine Corps – Vietnam War

Name: Thomas P. Noonan, Jr.
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company G, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division
Place: Near Vandergrift Combat Base, A Shau Valley, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Brooklyn, New York
Born: Brooklyn, New York

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Summary of Action

As Company G moved from its position southeast of Vandergrift Combat Base, heavy rains had turned the steep hillside into a dangerous slide of mud and rock. During the slow descent, the lead element was struck by intense fire from a well-concealed North Vietnamese Army force in rocky terrain. Four Marines were wounded, pinned down by accurate hostile fire. Multiple recovery attempts failed.

From a position of relative safety, Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan, Jr., a fire team leader, moved down the treacherous slope toward the wounded. Using rocks for momentary cover, he shouted encouragement to steady the injured Marines. Then, without hesitation, he dashed across exposed ground and began dragging the most seriously wounded man away from the fire-swept area.

Struck by enemy fire and knocked to the ground, Noonan quickly recovered and resumed the rescue. Pressing on through the rain, mud, and bullets, he continued to pull the wounded Marine toward marginal cover. Before he could reach safety, L/Cpl. Noonan was mortally wounded.

His fearless action ignited his fellow Marines. Inspired by his sacrifice, they launched a determined assault that forced the enemy to withdraw. By giving his life, Thomas Noonan saved others and turned the fight.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a fire team leader with Company G, in operations against the enemy in Quang Tri Province. Company G was directed to move from a position which they had been holding southeast of the Vandergrift Combat Base to an alternate location. As the marines commenced a slow and difficult descent down the side of the hill made extremely slippery by the heavy rains, the leading element came under a heavy fire from a North Vietnamese Army unit occupying well concealed positions in the rocky terrain. Four men were wounded, and repeated attempts to recover them failed because of the intense hostile fire. L/Cpl. Noonan moved from his position of relative security and, maneuvering down the treacherous slope to a location near the injured men, took cover behind some rocks. Shouting words of encouragement to the wounded men to restore their confidence, he dashed across the hazardous terrain and commenced dragging the most seriously wounded man away from the fire-swept area. Although wounded and knocked to the ground by an enemy round, L/Cpl. Noonan recovered rapidly and resumed dragging the man toward the marginal security of a rock. He was, however, mortally wounded before he could reach his destination. His heroic actions inspired his fellow marines to such aggressiveness that they initiated a spirited assault which forced the enemy soldiers to withdraw. L/Cpl. Noonan’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.