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Graphic reads “AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR; Honoring Marines from Our Legacy; BLACK HISTORY MONTH; PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, OSCAR P. AUSTIN, UNIT: 2 BN, 7MAR, 1MARDIV; VIETNAM WAR, FEBRUARY 1969.” The layout consists of a brown cloth texture background with an image of the Medal of Honor in the upper left corner in color. Additionally, a photo of Oscar Austin has been subdued and blended into the background. The graphic was created on January 27, 2022 at Communication Strategy & Operations, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Ca. and intended for use by Marine Corps Installations West to highlight African American Marine Medal of Honor recipients during the African American History Month. (U.S. Marine Corps graphics by David G. Smith)
Citation included: The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS OSCAR P. AUSTIN, 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 an Assistant Machine Gunner with Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of February 23, 1969, Private First Class Austin's observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges and small arms fire. Observing that one of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Private First Class Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his own safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the Marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby and, reacting instantly, leaped between the injured Marine and the lethal object, absorbing the effect of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the Marine, Private First Class Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier and, in so doing, was mortally wounded. Private First Class Austin'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/ RICHARD M. NIXON
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2022 |
| Published: | 02-03-22 04:50 PM |
| Graphic ID: | 18957 |
| VIRIN: | 220127-M-VL690-002 |
| Size: | 3.7 MB |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Black History Month Austin, by David Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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