Medal of Honor: William Thomas Perkins Jr., Vietnam War, October 12, 1967

Name: William Thomas Perkins Jr.
Rank: Corporal
War: Vietnam War
Date of Action: October 12, 1967
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Born: August 10, 1947 – Rochester, New York
Entered Service At: San Francisco, California

Summary of Action
During Operation MEDINA—a large reconnaissance mission into the jungles southwest of Quang Tri—Corporal Perkins was serving as a Marine combat photographer, capturing the harsh reality of war on film. Company C soon encountered a fierce and numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force, and the landing zone that doubled as the command post came under heavy assault. Amid the chaos, an enemy grenade landed among Perkins and three Marines. Without hesitation, he shouted a warning—“Incoming grenade!”—and threw himself onto the explosive. The blast took his life instantly, but his final act shielded his comrades from certain death.

Corporal Perkins remains the only combat photographer in American history to receive the Medal of Honor. His camera bore witness to the courage of others; his sacrifice became a testament to his own.

Medal of Honor Citation
PERKINS, WILLIAM THOMAS, JR.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 12 October 1967. Entered service at: San Francisco, Calif. Born: 10 August 1947, Rochester, N.Y.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a combat photographer attached to Company C. During Operation MEDINA, a major reconnaissance in force southwest of Quang Tri, Company C made heavy combat contact with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force estimated at from 2 to 3 companies. The focal point of the intense fighting was a helicopter landing zone which was also serving as the Command Post of Company C. In the course of a strong hostile attack, an enemy grenade landed in the immediate area occupied by Cpl. Perkins and 3 other marines. Realizing the inherent danger, he shouted the warning, “Incoming Grenade” to his fellow marines, and in a valiant act of heroism, hurled himself upon the grenade absorbing the impact of the explosion with his body, thereby saving the lives of his comrades at the cost of his life. Through his exceptional courage and inspiring valor in the face of certain death, Cpl. Perkins reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.