William T . Perkins , Jr . William Thomas Perkins , Jr . ( August 10 , 1947 – October 12 , 1967 ) was a United States Marine who posthumous ly received the United States ' highest military decoration for valor — the Medal of Honor — for his heroic action on October 12 , 1967 during the Vietnam War in which he smothered an exploding grenade with his body to save the lives of three fellow Marines . Perkins is the only combat photographer to have received the Medal of Honor . Biography . William T . Perkins , Jr . was born in Rochester , New York . In elementary school he moved with his family to California and graduated from James Monroe High School , Sepulveda , California , in 1965 . Perkins enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on April 27 , 1966 and was discharged to enlist in the Regular Marine Corps on July 6 , 1966 . Upon completion of recruit training with the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion , Marine Corps Recruit Depot , San Diego , he was promoted to private first class on September 22 , 1966 . Transferred to the Marine Corps Base , Camp Pendleton , he underwent individual combat training with the 3rd Battalion , 2nd Infantry Training Regiment . From October 1966 to January 1967 , he served as a photographer with Headquarters Battalion , Marine Corps Supply Center , Barstow , California . He was promoted to Lance Corporal on January 1 , 1967 . For the next four months , LCpl Perkins was a student at the Motion Picture Photography , U . S . Army Signal Center and School , Fort Monmouth , New Jersey . In May 1967 , he was transferred back to Headquarters Battalion , Barstow . In July 1967 , LCpl Perkins served as a photographer with Service Company , Headquarters Battalion , 3rd Marine Division and was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam . He was promoted to Corporal on August 1 , 1967 . While serving as a combat photographer with Company C , 1st Battalion , 1st Marines , 1st Marine Division during Operation Medina , he was killed in action on October 12 , 1967 . William T . Perkins , Jr . is buried in San Fernando Mission Cemetery in San Fernando , California . Awards and decorations . Cpl Perkins ' was awarded the following medals : Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to CORPORAL WILLIAM T . PERKINS , JR . 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 combat photographer attached to Company C , First Battalion , First Marines , First Marine Division , in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 October 1967 . During Operation MEDINA , a major reconnaissance in force , southwest of Quang Tri , Company C made heavy combat contact with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army Force estimated at from two to three companies . The focal point of the intense fighting was a helicopter landing zone which was also serving as the Command Post of Company C . In the course of a strong hostile attack , an enemy grenade landed in the immediate area occupied by Corporal Perkins and three other Marines . Realizing the inherent danger , he shouted the warning , " Incoming Grenade " to his fellow Marines , and in a valiant act of heroism , hurled himself upon the grenade absorbing the impact of the explosion with his own body thereby saving the lives of his comrades at the cost of his own . Through his exceptional courage and inspiring valor in the face of certain death , Corporal Perkins 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 M . NIXON In memory . The name of William T . Perkins , Jr . is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ( " The Wall " ) on Panel 27E Row 097 .