Larry E . Smedley Corporal Larry Eugene Smedley ( March 4 , 1949 – December 21 , 1967 ) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the United States ' highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in December 1967 in Quang Nam Province , Republic of Vietnam . Biography . Larry Eugene Smedley was born on March 4 , 1949 in Front Royal , Virginia . He attended elementary schools in Berryville , Virginia ; Augusta , Georgia ; Union Park , Florida ; and Howard Junior High School in Union Park , leaving the latter in 1964 . He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 18 , 1966 , at Orlando , Florida , then reported to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , South Carolina , and underwent recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion . In July 1966 , he completed individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion , 1st Infantry Training Regiment , Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune , North Carolina . Upon completion of recruit training , Pvt Smedley served as a rifleman and fire team leader with Companies D and C , respectively , 1st Battalion , 8th Marines , 2nd Marine Division , Camp Lejeune . He was promoted to private first class on September 1 , 1966 and to Lance Corporal on January 1 , 1967 . In July 1967 , LCpl Smedley arrived in the Republic of Vietnam . He was assigned duty as a rifleman and squad radio man with Company D , 1st Battalion , 7th Marines , 1st Marine Division , and was promoted to Corporal on September 1 , 1967 . While on patrol in Quang Nam Province on December 21 , 1967 he was mortally wounded in the action for which he earned the Medal of Honor . Larry Smedley was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery , Arlington , Virginia . His grave can be found in section 31 , lot 6486 . Awards and decorations . Cpl Smedley ' s awards include : 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 CORPORAL LARRY E . SMEDLEY 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 while serving as a squad leader with Company D , First Battalion , Seventh Marines , First Marine Division , in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam . On the evenings of 20 – 21 December 1967 , Corporal Smedley led his six - man squad to an ambush site at the mouth of Happy Valley , near Phouc Ninh ( 2 ) in Quang Nam Province . Later that night , an estimated 100 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army Regulars , carrying 122 mm rocket launchers and mortars , were observed moving toward Hill 41 . Realizing this was a significant enemy move to launch an attack on the vital Danang complex , Corporal Smedley immediately took sound and courageous action to stop the enemy threat . After he radioed for a reaction force , he skillfully maneuvered his men to a more advantageous position and led an attack on the numerically superior enemy force . A heavy volume of fire from an enemy machine gun positioned on the left flank of the squad inflicted several casualties on Corporal Smedley ' s unit . Simultaneously , an enemy rifle grenade exploded nearby , wounding him in the right foot and knocking him to the ground . Corporal Smedley disregarded this serious injury and valiantly struggled to his feet , shouting words of encouragement to his men . He fearlessly led a charge against the enemy machine gun emplacement , firing his rifle and throwing grenades until he was again struck by enemy fire and knocked to the ground . Gravely wounded and weak from loss of blood , he rose and commenced a one - man assault against the enemy position . Although his aggressive and singlehanded attack resulted in the destruction of the machine gun , he was struck in the chest by enemy fire and fell mortally wounded . Corporal Smedley ' s inspiring and courageous actions , bold initiative , and selfless devotion to duty in the face of certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / RICHARD M . NIXON