James D. Howe

He warned his comrades and shielded them from a live grenade

James Donnie Howe received the Medal of Honor for protecting two fellow Marines in Vietnam. Born in Six Mile, South Carolina, on December 17, 1948, he served as a lance corporal in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

Before enlistment, Howe worked for a painting contractor in Easley, South Carolina. He entered the Marine Corps Reserve on October 31, 1968, and the regular Marine Corps on December 30. He reached Vietnam in June 1969 and was promoted to lance corporal that December.

Early on May 6, 1970, Howe and two Marines held a defensive position on a sandy beach near bamboo thickets. Enemy sappers attacked with grenades under cover of darkness. The Marines moved to improve their position and return fire. When a grenade landed among them, Howe shouted a warning and threw himself onto it. He was killed, but his action protected his companions.

Vice President Spiro T. Agnew presented Howe’s posthumous Medal of Honor to his family at the White House on September 15, 1971. He was buried in Liberty Memorial Gardens Cemetery in South Carolina. His award commemorates his final act to save fellow Marines.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company I, during operations against enemy forces. In the early morning hours L/Cpl. Howe and two other marines were occupying a defensive position in a sandy beach area fronted by bamboo thickets. Enemy sappers suddenly launched a grenade attack against the position, utilizing the cover of darkness to carry out their assault. Following the initial explosions of the grenades, L/Cpl. Howe and his two comrades moved to a more advantageous position in order to return suppressive fire. When an enemy grenade landed in their midst, L/Cpl. Howe immediately shouted a warning and then threw himself upon the deadly missile, thereby protecting the lives of the fellow marines. His heroic and selfless action was in keeping with the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He valiantly gave his life in the service of his country.