Oscar P. Austin
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| Oscar Palmer Austin | |
|---|---|
| January 15, 1948 – February 23, 1969 (aged 21) | |
  Oscar P. Austin, Medal of Honor recipient |
|
| Place of birth | Nacogdoches, Texas |
| Place of death | KIA in Vietnam |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1968-1969 |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Private First Class Oscar Palmer Austin (January 15, 1948–February 23, 1969) was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded his nation's highest military honor — the Medal of Honor — for heroism and sacrifice of his own life in Vietnam in February 1969.
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[edit] Biography
Austin was born on 15 January 1948, in Nacogdoches, Texas. He attended Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona, and Phoenix Union High School.
Austin joined the U.S. Marine Corps in Phoenix, Arizona 22 April 1968 and completed recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, in July 1968. He completed his individual combat training with Company T, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, in August 1968; and basic infantry training with Weapons Company, Basic Infantry Training Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton, in September.
Promoted to private first class on 1 October 1968, he was transferred later that month to the Republic of Vietnam where he served as ammunitions man with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. While participating in combat 6 ½ miles west of Da Nang on 23 February 1969, he was killed in action.
[edit] Combat in Vietnam
During the early morning hours on February 23, 1969, Pfc Austin's observation post came under a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force using a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges and small arms fire.
Observing that one of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to hostile fire, Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his own safety, raced across the fire swept terrain to drag the Marine to safety. As he neared his companion, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby. Leaping between the grenade and the injured Marine, Austin took the full force of the explosion himself. Although he was badly injured, Austin turned to help his fallen companion and saw a North Vietnamese soldier aiming a weapon at the unconscious man.
With full knowledge of the probable consequences, Austin threw himself between the injured Marine and the hostile soldier. In doing so, he was mortally wounded.
[edit] Awards and decorations
PFC Austin's medals include:
Vietnam Service Medal (with two bronze stars)
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS OSCAR P. AUSTIN
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:[1]
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Assistant Machine Gunner with Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 23 February 1969, Private First Class Austin's observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges and small arms fire. Observing that one of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Private First Class Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his own safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the Marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby and, reacting instantly, leaped between the injured Marine and the lethal object, absorbing the effect of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the Marine, Private First Class Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier and, in so doing, was mortally wounded. Private First Class Austin's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
[edit] Named in his honor
The following have been named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient PFC Oscar Austin:
- The destroyer USS Oscar Austin, the first ship of the highly advanced Flight IIA subclass of the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, commissioned in 2000, is in his honor.[2]
- Austin Hall Enlisted Club, The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ "PFC Oscar P. Austin", Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor.
- ^ Oscar P. Austin. USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), United States Navy (February 2, 1999). Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
- ^ Austin Hall. The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
[edit] References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Private First Class Oscar P. Austin, USMC. Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2007-10-08.
- PFC Oscar P. Austin, Medal of Honor, 1969, 2/7/1, Vietnam (Medal of Honor citation). Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-02-10. Retrieved on 2006-03-22.
- Oscar P. Austin at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
