Posted on Jul 12, 2018
First Marine wins Medal of Honor - Jul 12, 1965 - HISTORY.com
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Viet Cong ambush Company A of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, led by U.S.M.C. Lt. Frank Reasoner of Kellogg, Idaho. The Marines had been on a sweep of a suspected Viet Cong area to deter any enemy activity aimed at the nearby airbase at Da Nang.
Reasoner and the five-man point team he was accompanying were cut off from the main body of the company. He ordered his men to lay down a base of fire and then, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire, killed two Viet Cong, single-handedly wiped out an enemy machine gun emplacement, and raced through enemy fire to rescue his injured radio operator. Trying to rally his men, Reasoner was hit by enemy machine gun fire and was killed instantly. For this action, Reasoner was nominated for America’s highest award for valor. When Navy Secretary Paul H. Nitze presented the Medal of Honor to Reasoner’s widow and son in ceremonies at the Pentagon on January 31, 1967, he spoke of Reasoner’s willingness to die for his men: “Lieutenant Reasoner’s complete disregard for his own welfare will long serve as an inspiring example to others.” Lieutenant Reasoner was the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for action in Vietnam.
Reasoner and the five-man point team he was accompanying were cut off from the main body of the company. He ordered his men to lay down a base of fire and then, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire, killed two Viet Cong, single-handedly wiped out an enemy machine gun emplacement, and raced through enemy fire to rescue his injured radio operator. Trying to rally his men, Reasoner was hit by enemy machine gun fire and was killed instantly. For this action, Reasoner was nominated for America’s highest award for valor. When Navy Secretary Paul H. Nitze presented the Medal of Honor to Reasoner’s widow and son in ceremonies at the Pentagon on January 31, 1967, he spoke of Reasoner’s willingness to die for his men: “Lieutenant Reasoner’s complete disregard for his own welfare will long serve as an inspiring example to others.” Lieutenant Reasoner was the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for action in Vietnam.
First Marine wins Medal of Honor - Jul 12, 1965 - HISTORY.com
Posted from history.com
Vietnam War
American History
Military History
Posted >1 y ago
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Hero. Nothing else needs to be said. Thank you for remembering him SP5 Mark Kuzinski
LTC Stephen F. COL Mikel J. Burroughs SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj William W. "Bill" PriceCPL Dave Hoover SSG William Jones Sgt Vance Bonds PO3 Brad Smith Cpl (Join to see) Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Rick Colburn SPC Margaret Higgins SPC Kenny WatsonSSgt Donald Libby 1SG Carl McAndrews Maj Robert Thornton PO3 Bob McCord SPC John Waisman Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
LTC Stephen F. COL Mikel J. Burroughs SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj William W. "Bill" PriceCPL Dave Hoover SSG William Jones Sgt Vance Bonds PO3 Brad Smith Cpl (Join to see) Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Rick Colburn SPC Margaret Higgins SPC Kenny WatsonSSgt Donald Libby 1SG Carl McAndrews Maj Robert Thornton PO3 Bob McCord SPC John Waisman Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
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wow, Mark I have no idea how many stories and or citations I have read for MOH, but every time I do I am so humbled and proud to be an American
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Silver Valley honors fallen Marine
A North Idaho Marine killed in Vietnam received his final homecoming Tuesday as the Kellogg community unveiled a permanent memorial for 1st Lieutenant Frank ...
Thank you my friend SP5 Mark Kuzinski for reminding us that on July 12, 1965 U.S.M.C. Lt. Frank Stanley Reasoner was leading Company A of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion on a sweep of a suspected Viet Cong area to deter any enemy activity aimed at the nearby airbase at Da Nang.
He was leading the point element of five men when they were ambushed by Viet Cong. His characteristic valor led him to charge a VC machine gun emplacement and kill the VC there.
He graduated from USMA, West Point with the class of 1962 and accepted a commission in the USMC.
Image: 1965 USMC LT Frank-S-Reasoner MOH; 1962 Frank Stanley Reasoner USMA Cadet.
Medal of Honor Citation from cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3400/reasoner-frank-s.php
Frank Stanley Reasoner
Rank: First Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Company: 3d Reconnaissance Battalion
Division: 3d Marine Division
Born: 16 September 1937, Spokane, Wash.
Departed: Yes
Entered Service At: Kellogg, Idaho:
Place / Date: Near Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, 12 July 1965
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. The reconnaissance patrol led by 1st Lt. Reasoner had deeply penetrated heavily controlled enemy territory when it came under extremely heavy fire from an estimated 50 to 100 Viet Cong insurgents. Accompanying the advance party and the point that consisted of 5 men, he immediately deployed his men for an assault after the Viet Cong had opened fire from numerous concealed positions. Boldly shouting encouragement, and virtually isolated from the main body, he organized a base of fire for an assault on the enemy positions. The slashing fury of the Viet Cong machinegun and automatic weapons fire made it impossible for the main body to move forward. Repeatedly exposing himself to the devastating attack he skillfully provided covering fire, killing at least 2 Viet Cong and effectively silencing an automatic weapons position in a valiant attempt to effect evacuation of a wounded man. As casualties began to mount his radio operator was wounded and 1st Lt. Reasoner immediately moved to his side and tended his wounds. When the radio operator was hit a second time while attempting to reach a covered position, 1st Lt. Reasoner courageously running to his aid through the grazing machinegun fire fell mortally wounded. His indomitable fighting spirit, valiant leadership and unflinching devotion to duty provided the inspiration that was to enable the patrol to complete its mission without further casualties. In the face of almost certain death he gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. His actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service."
Thank you for mentioning me, my friend Maj Marty Hogan
Published on Nov 12, 2008
A North Idaho Marine killed in Vietnam received his final homecoming Tuesday as the Kellogg community unveiled a permanent memorial for 1st Lieutenant Frank Reasoner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae-F-pt6BWs
FYI CPT Don KempSFC Greg Bruorton CPT (Join to see) 1stSgt Eugene Harless MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy 1SG Carl McAndrews SPC Douglas Bolton Debbie Pomeroy Cloud Kathlean KeeslerSGT Tim Fridley (Join to see) SSG David Andrews Sgt John H. Sgt David G Duchesneau SGT Mark Halmrast CW5 Jack Cardwell Cynthia Croft
He was leading the point element of five men when they were ambushed by Viet Cong. His characteristic valor led him to charge a VC machine gun emplacement and kill the VC there.
He graduated from USMA, West Point with the class of 1962 and accepted a commission in the USMC.
Image: 1965 USMC LT Frank-S-Reasoner MOH; 1962 Frank Stanley Reasoner USMA Cadet.
Medal of Honor Citation from cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3400/reasoner-frank-s.php
Frank Stanley Reasoner
Rank: First Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Company: 3d Reconnaissance Battalion
Division: 3d Marine Division
Born: 16 September 1937, Spokane, Wash.
Departed: Yes
Entered Service At: Kellogg, Idaho:
Place / Date: Near Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, 12 July 1965
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. The reconnaissance patrol led by 1st Lt. Reasoner had deeply penetrated heavily controlled enemy territory when it came under extremely heavy fire from an estimated 50 to 100 Viet Cong insurgents. Accompanying the advance party and the point that consisted of 5 men, he immediately deployed his men for an assault after the Viet Cong had opened fire from numerous concealed positions. Boldly shouting encouragement, and virtually isolated from the main body, he organized a base of fire for an assault on the enemy positions. The slashing fury of the Viet Cong machinegun and automatic weapons fire made it impossible for the main body to move forward. Repeatedly exposing himself to the devastating attack he skillfully provided covering fire, killing at least 2 Viet Cong and effectively silencing an automatic weapons position in a valiant attempt to effect evacuation of a wounded man. As casualties began to mount his radio operator was wounded and 1st Lt. Reasoner immediately moved to his side and tended his wounds. When the radio operator was hit a second time while attempting to reach a covered position, 1st Lt. Reasoner courageously running to his aid through the grazing machinegun fire fell mortally wounded. His indomitable fighting spirit, valiant leadership and unflinching devotion to duty provided the inspiration that was to enable the patrol to complete its mission without further casualties. In the face of almost certain death he gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. His actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service."
Thank you for mentioning me, my friend Maj Marty Hogan
Published on Nov 12, 2008
A North Idaho Marine killed in Vietnam received his final homecoming Tuesday as the Kellogg community unveiled a permanent memorial for 1st Lieutenant Frank Reasoner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae-F-pt6BWs
FYI CPT Don KempSFC Greg Bruorton CPT (Join to see) 1stSgt Eugene Harless MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy 1SG Carl McAndrews SPC Douglas Bolton Debbie Pomeroy Cloud Kathlean KeeslerSGT Tim Fridley (Join to see) SSG David Andrews Sgt John H. Sgt David G Duchesneau SGT Mark Halmrast CW5 Jack Cardwell Cynthia Croft
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LTC Stephen F.
You are very welcome my friend SP5 Mark Kuzinski I usually search for additional information to add.
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