Joseph Guy LaPointe Jr.

He shielded wounded comrades while treating them under fire.

On 2 June 1969, Specialist Four Joseph LaPointe served as a medical aidman with a patrol of the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. After a helicopter assault, the patrol came under intense fire from fortified enemy bunkers.

LaPointe crawled across exposed ground to reach two wounded soldiers. He treated one while shielding the other with his body. Despite being wounded twice, he continued giving aid and changed position to protect both men. An enemy grenade killed all three. His courage and devotion to the wounded earned the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, on 2 July 1948, LaPointe graduated from Northridge High School. He entered the United States Army during the Vietnam War and served as a combat medic. His final action demonstrated his determination to care for fellow soldiers despite grave danger to his own life.

Official citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Lapointe, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during a combat helicopter assault mission. Sp4c. Lapointe's patrol was advancing from the landing zone through an adjoining valley when it suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force entrenched in well fortified bunker positions. In the initial hail of fire, 2 soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded. Hearing a call for aid from 1 of the wounded, Sp4c. Lapointe ran forward through heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker. As members of his unit attempted to provide covering fire, he administered first aid to 1 man, shielding the other with his body. He was hit by a burst of fire from the bunker while attending the wounded soldier. In spite of his painful wounds, Sp4c. Lapointe continued his lifesaving duties until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous efforts, he moved back again into a shielding position to continue administering first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded all 3 men. Sp4c. Lapointe's courageous actions at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades. His gallantry and selflessness are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.