WHEAT, ROY M.


Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Marine, 1st Marine Division.

Place: Republic of Vietnam

Date: 11 August 1967.

Entered service at: Jackson, Miss.

Born: 24 July 1947, Moselle, Miss.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

L/Cpl. Wheat and 2 other marines were assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province. After the marines had set up security positions in a tree line adjacent to the work site, L/Cpl. Wheat reconnoitered the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence of guerrillas. He then returned to within 10 feet of the friendly position, and here unintentionally triggered a well concealed, bounding type, antipersonnel mine. Immediately, a hissing sound was heard which was identified by the 3 marines as that of a burning time fuse. Shouting a warning to his comrades, L/Cpl. Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the mine, absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his body. The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor of his unselfish action saved his fellow marines from certain injury and possible death, reflected great credit upon himself, and 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: WHEAT
First name: ROY MITCHELL
Home of Record (official): MOSELLE
State (official): MS
Date of Birth: Thursday, July 24, 1947
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single

--- Military ---

Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: LCPL
Serial Number: 2242728
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0311

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Unknown/Not reported
Date of Casualty: Friday, August 11, 1967
Age at time of loss: 20
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Nam
The Wall: Panel 24E - Row 101

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