Private First Class
United States Marine Corps
Gary Martini
PRIVATE
FIRST CLASS GARY W. MARTINI
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond
the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman, Company F, Second Battalion, First
Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 April 1967,
during Operation UNION, elements of Company F, conducting offensive operations
at Binh Son, encountered a firmly entrenched enemy force and immediately deployed
to engage them. The Marines in Private Martini's platoon assaulted across an
open rice paddy to within twenty meters of the enemy trench line where
they were suddenly struck by hand grenades, intense small arms, automatic weapons,
and mortar fire. The enemy onslaught killed 14 and wounded 18 Marines, pinning
the remainder of the platoon down behind a low paddy dike. In the face of imminent
danger, Private Martini immediately crawled over the dike to a forward open
area within 15 meters of the enemy position where, continuously exposed to the
hostile fire, he hurled handgrenades, killing several of the enemy. Crawling
back through the intense fire, he rejoined his platoon which had moved to the
relative safety of a trench line. From this position he observed several
of his wounded comrades lying helpless in the fire swept paddy. Although he
knew that one man had been killed, attempting to assist the wounded, Private
Martini raced through the open area and dragged a comrade back to the friendly
position. In spite of a serious wound received during this first daring
rescue, he again braved the unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another
companion lying wounded only twenty meters in front of the enemy trench line.
As he reached the fallen Marine, he received a mortal wound, but disregarding
his own condition, he began to drag the Marine toward his platoon's position.
Observing men from his unit attempting to leave the security of their position
to aid him, concerned only for their safety, he called to them to remain under
cover and through a final supreme effort, moved his injured comrade to where
he could be pulled to safety, before he fell, succumbing to his wounds. Stouthearted
and indomitable, Private Martini unhesitatingly yielded his own life to save
two of his comrades and insure the safety of the remainder of his platoon. His
outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty reflected
the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
LYNDON
B. JOHNSON
President of the United States
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