Paul H . Foster Paul Hellstrom Foster ( April 17 , 1939 – October 14 , 1967 ) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in October 1967 . Biography . Foster was born on April 17 , 1939 , in San Mateo , California . He attended elementary and high schools there , and was a member of the varsity football and track teams . After graduating from high school in 1957 , he went to work as an automobile mechanic helper . He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on November 4 , 1961 , in San Francisco , California , and received recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego , and individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton . After completion of combat training in March 1962 , he joined the 5th 105 mm Howitzer Battery ( later redesignated Headquarters Battery , 14th Marines , 4th Marine Division ) , a Reserve unit , at Navy and Marine Corps Training Center Treasure Island in San Francisco . While on inactive duty , he was promoted to private first class in March 1963 , to Lance Corporal in August 1963 ; to Corporal in April 1964 , and to Sergeant on February 1 , 1966 . Called to active duty in November 1966 , Sgt Foster embarked for the Republic of Vietnam , and in December , joined Company H , 3rd Battalion 12th Marines , 3rd Marine Division . While serving as an Artillery Liaison Operations Chief with the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines in Operation Kingfisher near Con Thien at Wash Out Bridge on October 14 , 1967 , Sgt Foster was mortally wounded when he threw himself upon a hand grenade to save the lives of his five comrades . The Medal of Honor was presented to his family by President Richard M . Nixon , in a ceremony at the White House on June 20 , 1969 . Sergeant Paul H . Foster is buried in Grave 4764 , Section V , Golden Gate National Cemetery , San Bruno , California . Awards and honors . Foster ' s medals and decorations 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 SERGEANT PAUL H . FOSTER UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE 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 an Artillery Liaison Operations Chief with the Second Battalion , Fourth Marines , Third Marine Division , near Con Thien in the Republic of Vietnam . In the early morning hours of October 14 , 1967 , the Second Battalion was occupying a defensive position which protected a bridge on the road leading from Con Thein to Cam Lo . Suddenly , the Marines ' position came under a heavy volume of mortar and artillery fire , followed by an aggressive enemy ground assault . In the ensuing engagement , the hostile forces penetrated the perimeter and brought a heavy concentration of small arms , automatic weapons , and rocket fire to bear on the Battalion Command Post . Although his position in the Fire Support Coordination Center was dangerously exposed to enemy fire and he was wounded when an enemy hand grenade exploded near his position , Sergeant Foster resolutely continued to direct accurate mortar and artillery fire on the advancing North Vietnamese troops . As the attack continued , a hand grenade landed in the midst of Sergeant Foster and his five companions . Realizing the danger , he shouted a warning , threw his armored vest over the grenade , and unhesitatingly placed his own body over the armored vest . When the grenade exploded , Sergeant Foster absorbed the entire blast with his own body and was mortally wounded . His heroic actions undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death . Sergeant Foster ' s courage , extraordinary heroism , and unfaltering devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / RICHARD NIXON