HOWE, JAMES D.

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

Place: Republic of Vietnam

Date: 6 May 1970

Entered service at: Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Born: 17 December 1948, Pickens, South Carolina

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 I, during operations against enemy forces.

In the early morning hours L/Cpl. Howe and 2 other marines were occupying a defensive position in a sandy beach area fronted by bamboo thickets. Enemy sappers suddenly launched a grenade attack against the position, utilizing the cover of darkness to carry out their assault. Following the initial explosions of the grenades, L/Cpl. Howe and his 2 comrades moved to a more advantageous position in order to return suppressive fire. When an enemy grenade landed in their midst, L/Cpl. Howe immediately shouted a warning and then threw himself upon the deadly missile, thereby protecting the lives of the fellow marines. His heroic and selfless action was in keeping with the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He valiantly gave his life in the service of his country.

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--- General / Personal ---

Last name: HOWE
First name: JAMES DONNIE
Home of Record (official): LIBERTY
State (official): SC
Date of Birth: Friday, December 17, 1948
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single

--- Military ---

Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: LCPL
Serial Number: 248846637
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0311

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Thursday, June 26, 1969
Date of Casualty: Wednesday, May 6, 1970
Age at time of loss: 21
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Nam
The Wall: Panel 11W - Row 113

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