Thomas P. Noonan, Jr.-Woodside, NY
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 40° 43.974 W 073° 55.608
18T E 590621 N 4509660
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Vandergrift Combat Base, A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam on February 5, 1969. He was killed in action. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, NY in Section 6, Plot 101, Grave 14.
Waymark Code: WMXRDZ
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 02/19/2018
Views: 0
He was born on November 18, 1943 in Brooklyn NY and died on February 5, 1969 in Vietnam. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *NOONAN, THOMAS P., JR.
• Rank and Organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company G, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division
• Place and Date: Near Vandergrift Combat Base, A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 5 February 1969
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.
Armed Service: Marines
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