Douglas B. Fournet

Shielded his platoon while trying to disarm a mine

Douglas Bernard Fournet earned a posthumous Medal of Honor in the A Shau Valley, South Vietnam, on 4 May 1968. A first lieutenant leading the 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, he moved toward an enemy mine to protect the men behind him.

Fournet was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on 7 May 1943. His award was accredited to New Orleans. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

The platoon was advancing uphill against fortified positions under sniper fire when a soldier spotted a claymore mine. Fournet ordered his men to take cover and ran toward it with a knife. Placing himself between the mine and his platoon, he attempted to cut the control wires. The enemy detonated the mine, killing him. Five nearby men received minor wounds, but his body shielded them from more serious harm.

President Richard M. Nixon presented Fournet's Medal of Honor to his family at the White House on 7 April 1970. He is buried in Kinder Cemetery, Louisiana. His citation recognizes the protection he provided to his command.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Fournet, Infantry, distinguished himself in action while serving as rifle platoon leader of the 2d Platoon, Company B. While advancing uphill against fortified enemy positions in the A Shau Valley, the platoon encountered intense sniper fire, making movement very difficult. The right flank man suddenly discovered an enemy claymore mine covering the route of advance and shouted a warning to his comrades. Realizing that the enemy would also be alerted, 1st Lt. Fournet ordered his men to take cover and ran uphill toward the mine, drawing a sheath knife as he approached it. With complete disregard for his safety and realizing the imminent danger to members of his command, he used his body as a shield in front of the mine as he attempted to slash the control wires leading from the enemy positions to the mine. As he reached for the wire the mine was detonated, killing him instantly. Five men nearest the mine were slightly wounded, but 1st Lt. Fournet's heroic and unselfish act spared his men of serious injury or death. His gallantry and willing self-sacrifice are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.