Medal of Honor




WILSON, ALFRED M.*



Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company M, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division.



Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 3 March 1969.



Entered service at: Abilene, Texas.





Born: 13 January 1948, Olney, Ill.



Citation:



For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company M in action against hostile forces. While returning from a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the vicinity of Fire Support Base Cunningham, the 1st Platoon of Company M came under intense automatic weapons fire and a grenade attack from a well concealed enemy force. As the center of the column was pinned down, the leading squad moved to outflank the enemy. Pfc. Wilson, acting as squad leader of the rear squad, skillfully maneuvered his men to form a base of fire and act as a blocking force. In the ensuing fire fight, both his machine gunner and assistant machine gunner were seriously wounded and unable to operate their weapons. Realizing the urgent need to bring the weapon into operation again, Pfc. Wilson, followed by another marine and with complete disregard for his safety, fearlessly dashed across the fire_swept terrain to recover the weapon. As they reached the machinegun, an enemy soldier stepped from behind a tree and threw a grenade toward the 2 marines. Observing the grenade fall between himself and the other marine, Pfc. Wilson, fully realizing the inevitable result of his actions, shouted to his companion and unhesitating threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the full force of the explosion with his own body. His heroic actions inspired his platoon members to maximum effort as they aggressively attacked and defeated the enemy. Pfc. Wilson's indomitable courage, inspiring valor 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.





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--- General / Personal ---



Last name: WILSON

First name: ALFRED MAC

Home of Record (official): ODESSA

State (official): TX

Date of Birth: Tuesday, January 13, 1948

Sex: Male

Race: Caucasian

Marital Status: Single



--- Military ---



Branch: Marine Corps

Rank: PFC

Serial Number:

Component: Regular

Pay grade: E2

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0311



--- Action ---



Start of Tour: Sunday, July 21, 1968

Date of Casualty: Monday, March 3, 1969

Age at time of loss: 21

Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died

Reason: Artillery, rocket, mortar (Ground casualty)

Country: South VietNam

Province: Quang Tri

The Wall: Panel 30W - Row 035

http://www.mishalov.com/Wilson.html

Medal of Honor




STONE, LESTER R., JR.*



Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, 23d Infantry Division (Americal).



Place and date: West of Landing Zone Liz, Republic of Vietnam, 3 March 1969.



Entered service at: Syracuse N.Y.



Born: 4 June 1947, Binghamton, N.Y.



Citation:



For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Stone, distinguished himself while serving as squad leader of the 1st Platoon. The 1st Platoon was on a combat patrol mission just west of Landing Zone Liz when it came under intense automatic weapons and grenade fire from a well concealed company-size force of North Vietnamese regulars. Observing the platoon machinegunner fall critically wounded, Sgt. Stone remained in the exposed area to provide cover fire for the wounded soldier who was being pulled to safety by another member of the platoon. With enemy fire impacting all around him, Sgt. Stone had a malfunction in the machinegun, preventing him from firing the weapon automatically. Displaying extraordinary courage under the most adverse conditions, Sgt. Stone repaired the weapon and continued to place on the enemy positions effective suppressive fire which enabled the rescue to be completed. In a desperate attempt to overrun his position, an enemy force left its cover and charged Sgt. Stone. Disregarding the danger involved, Sgt. Stone rose to his knees and began placing intense fire on the enemy at pointblank range, killing 6 of the enemy before falling mortally wounded. His actions of unsurpassed valor were a source of inspiration to his entire unit, and he was responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military profession and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.







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Lester R. Stone Jr.




"Lester's mother is so excited about this.There is a Memorial dedicated to him, and a VFW Post named after him".




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--- General / Personal ---

Last name: STONE

First name: LESTER RAY JR

Home of Record (official): HARPURSVILLE

State (official): NY

Date of Birth: Wednesday, June 4, 1947

Sex: Male

Race: Caucasian

Marital Status: Single



--- Military ---

Branch: Army

Rank: SGT

Serial Number:

Component: Selective Service

Pay grade: E5

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B40



--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Wednesday, December 4, 1968

Date of Casualty: Monday, March 3, 1969

Age at time of loss: 21

Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died

Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)

Country: South VietNam

Province: Quang Ngai

The Wall: Panel 30W - Row 033

Lester Ray Stone Jr.

http://www.thewall-usa.com/

Medal of Honor Citation
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LESTER RAY STONE JR
Sergeant, U.S. Army
1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, 23d Infantry Division (Americal).
Place and Date: West of Landing Zone Liz, Republic of Vietnam, 3 March 1969.
Entered Service at: Syracuse N.Y.
Born : 4 June 1947, Binghamton, N.Y.

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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Stone, distinguished himself while serving as squad leader of the 1st Platoon. The 1st Platoon was on a combat patrol mission just west of Landing Zone Liz when it came under intense automatic weapons and grenade fire from a well concealed company-size force of North Vietnamese regulars. Observing the platoon machinegunner fall critically wounded, Sgt. Stone remained in the exposed area to provide cover fire for the wounded soldier who was being pulled to safety by another member of the platoon. With enemy fire impacting all around him, Sgt. Stone had a malfunction in the machinegun, preventing him from firing the weapon automatically. Displaying extraordinary courage under the most adverse conditions, Sgt. Stone repaired the weapon and continued to place on the enemy positions effective suppressive fire which enabled the rescue to be completed. In a desperate attempt to overrun his position, an enemy force left its cover and charged Sgt. Stone. Disregarding the danger involved, Sgt. Stone rose to his knees and began placing intense fire on the enemy at pointblank range, killing 6 of the enemy before falling mortally wounded. His actions of unsurpassed valor were a source of inspiration to his entire unit, and he was responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military profession and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.