Medal of Honor

[Heatherg21]

Another poster @Small Team Bacsi mentioned 1st LT. Frank Reasoner in another thread. The thread was locked (lots of drama over there) and I didn't want the history of this man's service to get lost. From being enlisted, to NAPS (when it was in MD) and then a guard in Annapolis, then to USMA --- quite the path to service and leadership. And, when at USNA, he boxed in four different weight classes. Who does that?

On 12 July 1965, Reasoner was leading an 18-man patrol from Company A near Đại Lộc, approximately 18 km southwest of Danang, when it was attacked by a company-sized Vietcong force. Reasoner was killed and 3 other Marines were wounded in the engagement.[2]

USS Reasoner was named after Reasoner.

The 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion base camp at Hill 327, Danang, South Vietnam was named "Camp Reasoner" and dedicated to his memory. The hand-lettered sign near the gates of Camp Reasoner read: "…First Lieutenant Reasoner sacrificed his life to save one of his wounded Marines. 'Greater Love Hath No Man'."

The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

FIRST LIEUTENANT FRANK S. REASONER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. The reconnaissance patrol led by 1st Lt. Reasoner had deeply penetrated heavily controlled enemy territory when it came under extremely heavy fire from an estimated 50 to 100 Viet Cong insurgents. Accompanying the advance party and the point that consisted of 5 men, he immediately deployed his men for an assault after the Viet Cong had opened fire from numerous concealed positions. Boldly shouting encouragement, and virtually isolated from the main body, he organized a base of fire for an assault on the enemy positions. The slashing fury of the Viet Cong machinegun and automatic weapons fire made it impossible for the main body to move forward. Repeatedly exposing himself to the devastating attack he skillfully provided covering fire, killing at least 2 Viet Cong and effectively silencing an automatic weapons position in a valiant attempt to effect evacuation of a wounded man. As casualties began to mount his radio operator was wounded and 1st Lt. Reasoner immediately moved to his side and tended his wounds. When the radio operator was hit a second time while attempting to reach a covered position, 1st Lt. Reasoner courageously running to his aid through the grazing machinegun fire fell mortally wounded. His indomitable fighting spirit, valiant leadership and unflinching devotion to duty provided the inspiration that was to enable the patrol to complete its mission without further casualties. In the face of almost certain death he gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. His actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

Grateful for his service. Their names shouldn't ever be forgotten.

 

[MidCakePa]

DD says the single greatest highlight of her four years at USNA was when she was one of several mids chosen to escort veterans visiting DC. Due to her billet, she was paired with a MOH recipient from the Vietnam War. They visited various monuments and landmarks before ending up at Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They had prime spots to watch the Changing of the Guard, always a poignant event.

Afterward, a guard approached the MOH recipient and invited him to visit the guards’ inner sanctum. The MOH recipient said he’d go, but only if his escort — DD — could come too. The guard agreed and away they went.

DD said it was unbelievable to see the inner sanctum, to watch the guards as they prepared for their shift, to witness the serious solemnity and minute details that go into it all. Afterward, a picture was taken with the MOH recipient, a guard and DD holding the medal. When she called us about it, she was somewhere north of cloud nine and not coming down for a while.

I asked her what the MOH recipient was like. DD said he was incredibly humble, very gracious and surprisingly soft-spoken. Wow.

 

[USMCGrunt]

“I asked her what the MOH recipient was like. DD said he was incredibly humble, very gracious and surprisingly soft-spoken. Wow.”

Based on interviews, articles, and personal research, I would say that most, if not all, are this way.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

That was 2nd Lt Bill Henderson( silver star) PLT that Reasoner was with and in charge of that day. All Marines for sure should know the name Henderson.

His uncle was Maj Lofton Henderson they named Henderson Field on the Canal after him.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

That was quite a NAPS class Reasoner was a member of. One of the other members of that class was named John Ripley.

”Ripley at the Dong Ha Bridge”

That painting hangs in Bancroft today.

.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ripley_(USMC)

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/the-bridge-at-dong-ha.html

Try that again

 

[Heatherg21]

Dang, what a remarkable Marine. What Ripley did at that bridge in Vietnam is incredible. I really like that he was never happy behind a desk, and kept finding ways to be in the field.

Incredible.