Thomas P. Noonan Jr.

He crossed a slippery slope amidst fire to save wounded men.

Thomas Patrick Noonan Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 18 November 1943. He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1961 and from Hunter College in the Bronx in June 1966 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He entered the Marine Corps Reserve on 26 December 1967 and transferred to the regular Marine Corps on 31 January 1968.

He trained at Parris Island, becoming a private first class on 1 April 1968, and completed infantry training at Camp Lejeune. In July he arrived in Vietnam and initially served as a mortarman with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division. The following month he transferred to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. His duties included rifleman and M79 grenadier, and he was promoted to lance-corporal on 1 January 1969.

On 5 February 1969 his unit was operating in Quang Tri Province during Operation Dewey Canyon. Heavy rain had made the hillside extremely slippery. As his platoon moved to a new position, its leading men came under intense enemy fire and four Marines were wounded. Attempts to reach them were forced back.

Noonan moved from his covered position among rocks and shouted encouragement to the men ahead. He then ran towards the casualty who appeared most seriously hurt and began dragging him down the exposed slope. Enemy fire struck him and knocked him down, but he got up and continued trying to bring the wounded man to safety. Before he could reach cover he was hit again and killed.

His official Medal of Honor citation explains that his determination spurred other Marines to renew their efforts. They attacked with such force that the enemy withdrew, enabling the casualties to be recovered (Congressional Medal of Honor Society, https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/thomas-p-noonan). The award recognized the direct attempt to save a fellow Marine and the effect of that example on the whole platoon.

Noonan was twenty-five. His family received the posthumous Medal of Honor from President Richard Nixon at the White House on 16 February 1971. His decorations also included the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze campaign stars, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His surviving family included his parents, three sisters and a brother. His education, brief Marine career and final rescue attempt are preserved together in the Marine Corps biographical record.

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 fire team leader with Company G, in operations against the enemy in Quang Tri province. Company G was directed to move from a position which they had been holding southeast of the Vandergrift Combat Base to an alternate location. As the marines commenced a slow and difficult descent down the side of the hill made extremely slippery by the heavy rains, the leading element came under a heavy fire from a North Vietnamese Army unit occupying well-concealed positions in the rocky terrain. Four men were wounded, and repeated attempts to recover them failed because of the intense hostile fire. L/Cpl. Noonan moved from his position of relative security and, maneuvering down the treacherous slope to a location near the injured men, took cover behind some rocks. Shouting words of encouragement to the wounded men to restore their confidence, he dashed across the hazardous terrain and commenced dragging the most seriously wounded man away from the fire-swept area. Although wounded and knocked to the ground by an enemy round, L/Cpl. Noonan recovered rapidly and resumed dragging the man toward the marginal security of a rock. He was, however, mortally wounded before he could reach his destination. His heroic actions inspired his fellow marines to such aggressiveness that they initiated a spirited assault which forced the enemy soldiers to withdraw. L/Cpl. Noonan's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.