Joseph G. Lapointe Jr
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| Joseph G. LaPointe, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| July 2, 1948 – June 2, 1969 (aged 20) | |
  Specialist Joseph LaPointe |
|
| Place of birth | Dayton, Ohio |
| Place of death | KIA in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968-1969 |
| Rank | Specialist Fourth Class |
| Unit | 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam Conflict |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star Purple Heart National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Joseph Guy LaPointe, Jr. (July 2, 1948–June 2, 1969) was a medic in the United States Army who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
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[edit] Biography
LaPointe was born in Dayton, Ohio and resided in Clayton, Ohio after graduating from Northridge High School in 1966. After briefly working as a mail carrier, he was drafted on May 8, 1968. A conscientious objector, he trained as a medic and was sent to Vietnam in November 1968. He was killed on 2 June 1969 while exposing himself to heavy enemy fire to give first aid to two fellow soldiers.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Joseph G. Lapointe Jr's Medal of Honor Citation
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SP4 La Pointe, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during a combat helicopter assault mission. SP4 La Pointe'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, SP4 La Pointe 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, SP4 La Pointe 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. SP4 La Pointe'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.
[edit] Tributes
A housing complex at Fort Campbell, Kentucky is named for Joseph as well as a medical heliport at Fort Benning, Georgia. State Route 49 in Montgomery County, Ohio has also been designated as “Joseph Guy Lapointe, Jr. Memorial Parkway”.
