William R . Prom William Raymond Prom ( November 17 , 1948 – February 9 , 1969 ) was a United States Marine who posthumous ly received the Medal of Honor for heroism in February 1969 during the Vietnam War . Biography . William Raymond Prom was born on November 17 , 1948 in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . He attended Mt . Troy Public School in Pittsburgh and Millvale High School in Millvale , Pennsylvania . Prom enlisted in the U . S . Marine Corps Reserve at Pittsburgh on December 8 , 1967 , and was discharged to enlist in the Regular Marine Corps on December 27 , 1967 . Upon completion of recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion , Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , South Carolina , he was promoted to private first class on March 1 , 1968 . Transferred to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune , North Carolina , he underwent individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment , and weapons special training with the 1st Battalion , 1st Infantry Training Regiment , completing the latter in April 1968 . In June 1968 , he arrived in the Republic of Vietnam , where he served consecutively as ammunition man , assistant gunner , machine gun team leader , and machine gun squad leader , with Company I , 3rd Battalion , 3rd Marines , 3rd Marine Division . He was promoted to Lance Corporal on September 1 , 1968 . While participating in Operation Taylor Common during a reconnaissance in force operation southwest of An Hoa on February 9 , 1969 , he was killed in action . William R . Prom is buried in Allegheny County Memorial Park in Allison Park , Pennsylvania . Decorations . A complete list of his medals and decorations include : the Medal of Honor , the Purple Heart , the National Defense Service Medal , the Vietnam Service Medal , and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States in the name of Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to LANCE CORPORAL WILLIAM R . PROM 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 Machine Gun Squad Leader with Company I , Third Battalion , Third Marines , Third Marine Division in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam . While returning from a reconnaissance operation on 9 February 1969 during Operation TAYLOR COMMON , two platoons of Company I came under an intense automatic weapon s fire and grenade attack from a well - concealed North Vietnamese Army force in fortified positions . The leading element of the platoon was isolated and several Marines were wounded . Lance Corporal Prom immediately assumed control of one of the machine gun s and began to deliver return fire . Disregarding his own safety he advanced to a position from which he could more effectively deliver covering fire while first aid was administered to the wounded men . Realizing that the enemy would have to be destroyed before the injured Marines could be evacuated , Lance Corporal Prom again moved and delivered a heavy volume of fire with such accuracy that he was instrumental in routing the enemy , thus permitting his men to regroup and resume the march . Shortly thereafter , the platoon again came under heavy fire in which one man was critically wounded . Reacting instantly Lance Corporal Prom moved forward to protect his injured comrade . Unable to continue his own fire because of his severe wounds , he continued to advance to within a few yards of the enemy positions . There , standing in full view of the enemy , he accurately directed the fire of his support elements until he was mortally wounded . Inspired by his heroic actions , the Marines launched an assault that destroyed the enemy . Lance Corporal Prom ' 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 . / S / RICHARD M . NIXON In memory . The name William R . Prom is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ( " The Wall " ) on Panel 32W Row 002 .