James D . Howe James Donnie Howe ( December 17 , 1948 – May 6 , 1970 ) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in May 1970 during the Vietnam War . Biography . James Donnie Howe was born on December 17 , 1948 , in Six Mile , South Carolina . He attended Six Mile and Pickens Elementary Schools , graduated from Cateeche Elementary School in Cateeche , South Carolina , in June 1960 , and then attended Liberty Junior High School in Liberty , South Carolina , from September 1960 until June 1961 . He was employed by Lloyd ’ s Incorporated , a paint contractor , in Easley , South Carolina , prior to enlisting in the U . S . Marine Corps Reserve on October 31 , 1968 , in Fort Jackson , South Carolina . He was discharged on from the Reserves on December 29 , 1968 and enlisted in the regular Marine Corps the following day . Private Howe received recruit training with the Recruit Training Battalion , Marine Corps Recruit Depot , Parris Island , South Carolina , and individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion , 1st Infantry Training Regiment , Camp Lejeune , North Carolina . Promoted to private first class on June 4 , 1969 , Howe was transferred later that month to the Republic of Vietnam . He served as a rifleman and later , as a radio operator with Company I , 3rd Battalion , 7th Marines , 1st Marine Division . He was promoted to lance corporal on December 27 , 1969 . In the early morning hours of May 6 , 1970 , while serving as a rifleman in operations against insurgent Communist aggression in Quang Nam Province , Republic of Vietnam , he was mortally wounded . Decorations . A complete list of his medals and decorations includes : the Medal of Honor , Purple Heart , the Combat Action Ribbon , the National Defense Service Medal , the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star , and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to LANCE CORPORAL JAMES D . HOWE 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 Rifleman with Company I , Third Battalion , Seventh Marines , First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam . In the early morning hours of 6 May 1970 , Lance Corporal Howe and two other Marines were occupying a defensive position in a sandy beach area fronted by bamboo thickets . Enemy sappers suddenly launched a grenade attack against the position , utilizing the cover of darkness to carry out their assault . Following the initial explosions of the grenades , Lance Corporal Howe and his two comrades moved to a more advantageous position in order to return suppressive fire . When an enemy grenade landed in their midst , Lance Corporal Howe immediately shouted a warning and then threw himself upon the deadly missile , thereby protecting the lives of his fellow Marines . His heroic and selfless action was in keeping with the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country . / S / RICHARD M . NIXON Posthumous honors . On May 19 , 2004 , the South Carolina General Assembly passed Joint Resolution 5294 commending native South Carolinian James D . Howe for his Medal of Honor actions .