NOONAN, THOMAS P., JR.

Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company G, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division

Place: Near Vandergrift Combat Base, A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam

Date: 5 February 1969

Entered service at: Brooklyn, New York

Born. 18 November 1943, Brooklyn, New York

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a fire team leader with Company G, in operations against the enemy in Quang Tri Province.

Company G was directed to move from a position which they had been holding southeast of the Vandergrift Combat Base to an alternate location. As the marines commenced a slow and difficult descent down the side of the hill made extremely slippery by the heavy rains, the leading element came under a heavy fire from a North Vietnamese Army unit occupying well concealed positions in the rocky terrain. 4 men were wounded, and repeated attempts to recover them failed because of the intense hostile fire. L/Cpl. Noonan moved from his position of relative security and, maneuvering down the treacherous slope to a location near the injured men, took cover behind some rocks. Shouting words of encouragement to the wounded men to restore their confidence, he dashed across the hazardous terrain and commenced dragging the most seriously wounded man away from the fire-swept area. Although wounded and knocked to the ground by an enemy round, L/Cpl. Noonan recovered rapidly and resumed dragging the man toward the marginal security of a rock. He was, however, mortally wounded before he could reach his destination. His heroic actions inspired his fellow marines to such aggressiveness that they initiated a spirited assault which forced the enemy soldiers to withdraw. L/Cpl. Noonan's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, 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: NOONAN
First name: THOMAS PATRICK JR
Home of Record (official): MASPETH
State (official): NY
Date of Birth: Thursday, November 18, 1943
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single

--- Military ---

Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: LCPL
Serial Number: 2292900
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0351

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Saturday, July 27, 1968
Date of Casualty: Wednesday, February 5, 1969
Age at time of loss: 25
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Tri
The Wall: Panel 33W - Row 067

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