William R. Prom
William Raymond Prom | |
|---|---|
3rd Battalion 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division | |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
William Raymond Prom (November 17, 1948 – February 9, 1969) was a
Biography
William Raymond Prom was born on November 17, 1948, in
Prom enlisted in the
Upon completion of
In June 1968, he arrived in the
William R. Prom is buried in Allegheny County Memorial Park in Allison Park, Pennsylvania.[2]
Decorations
A complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the
 
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| Medal of Honor | Purple Heart | ||||
| National Defense Service Medal | Vietnam Service Medal | Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal | |||
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. While returning from a reconnaissance operation on 9 February 1969 during Operation TAYLOR COMMON, two platoons of Company I came under an intense
North Vietnamese Army force in fortified positions. The leading element of the platoon was isolated and several Marines were wounded. Lance Corporal Prom immediately assumed control of one of the machine guns and began to deliver return fire. Disregarding his own safety he advanced to a position from which he could more effectively deliver covering fire while first aid was administered to the wounded men. Realizing that the enemy would have to be destroyed before the injured Marines could be evacuated, Lance Corporal Prom again moved and delivered a heavy volume of fire with such accuracy that he was instrumental in routing the enemy, thus permitting his men to regroup and resume the march. Shortly thereafter, the platoon again came under heavy fire in which one man was critically wounded. Reacting instantly Lance Corporal Prom moved forward to protect his injured comrade. Unable to continue his own fire because of his severe wounds, he continued to advance to within a few yards of the enemy positions. There, standing in full view of the enemy, he accurately directed the fire of his support elements until he was mortally wounded. Inspired by his heroic actions, the Marines launched an assault that destroyed the enemy. Lance Corporal Prom's indomitable courage inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
/S/
In memory
The name William R. Prom is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") on Panel 32W Row 002.[2]
The 31st Street Bridge over the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, PA, is the William Randolph Prom Memorial Bridge.
See also
References
- Inline
- ISBN 978-1494287627.
- ^ a b "William R. Prom". mishalov.com. Retrieved 2006-07-03.
- General
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- "Lance Corporal William R. Prom, USMC, Who's Who in Marine Corps History, History Division, United States Marine Corps". Retrieved July 3, 2006.
- "LCpl William R. Prom, Medal of Honor, 1969, 3/3/3, Vietnam, Medal of Honor citation". Archived from the original on June 29, 2006. Retrieved July 3, 2006.