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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Marine LCpl Joe C. Paul.
Medal of Honor
Episode 2964 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Marine LCpl Joe C. Paul. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and Mountain News WYMT.
Marine Lance Corporal Joe C. Paul was just 19 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. On August 18, 1965, during Operation Starlite, his unit, part of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, came under intense enemy fire near Chu Lai. The Viet Cong had set up a deadly ambush, pinning Paul’s platoon down in the chaos of battle.
Seeing his fellow Marines wounded and trapped, Paul sprang into action. Without hesitation, he charged forward, laying down suppressive fire as he pulled his injured comrades to safety. The air was thick with gunfire, and explosions shook the ground, but he refused to falter.
When an enemy machine gun threatened to wipe out his entire squad, Paul grabbed his weapon and rushed toward it, a one-man assault against impossible odds. He unleashed a relentless attack, diverting the enemy’s attention and allowing his unit to regroup and evacuate the wounded. Despite being mortally wounded, he continued fighting until his last breath.
His bravery saved the lives of countless Marines that day. For his extraordinary heroism and selfless sacrifice, LCpl Joe C. Paul was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His legacy endures as a symbol of the Marine Corps’ highest values: honor, courage, and commitment.
Today, his name is etched into history, remembered by all who serve and those who understand that true heroes are the ones willing to give everything for their brothers in arms.
Listen to Episode 2964 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Marine LCpl Joe C. Paul.
