Roy M . Wheat Roy Mitchell Wheat ( July 24 , 1947 – August 11 , 1967 ) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War . Biography . Wheat was born on July 24 , 1947 , in Moselle , Mississippi . He attended public schools in Ellisville , Mississippi , but dropped out in 1965 after two years of high school . In September 1966 , he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at Jackson , Mississippi . Wheat then reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , South Carolina . He underwent recruit training with the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion , after which he completed special infantry training with the 1st Infantry Training Battalion , Camp Lejeune , North Carolina . Upon completion of infantry training , he was promoted to private first class in February 1967 . Wheat arrived in Vietnam in March 1967 , and was assigned duty as a rifleman with Company K , 3rd Battalion , 7th Marines , 1st Marine Division . His unit participated in numerous combat operations , including Operation DeSoto in the Duc Pho District , Quang Ngai Province , and Operations Webster , Arizona , Butler and Gem in Quang Nam Province . He was promoted to lance corporal in June 1967 . On August 11 , 1967 , Wheat and two other Marines were assigned to provide security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in Dien Ban District , Quang Nam Province . After setting up in the tree line adjacent to the work site , Wheat searched the surrounding area for guerrilla fighters . He had returned to within of the security post when he triggered a well - concealed bounding mine . Hearing the distinctive hiss of the mine ' s fuse , Wheat shouted a warning to his two fellow Marines and then threw himself on the device , smothering its blast with his body . He was killed in the ensuing explosion . For this act , he was awarded the Medal of Honor . Awards and decorations . Wheat was buried at Eastabuchie Cemetery in Eastabuchie , Mississippi . His name can be found on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 24E , Row 101 . In 2003 , the U . S . Navy named its newest prepositioning ship the . The enlisted dining facility at Naval Air Station Meridian in Mississippi was named after him in 1985 , and Interstate 59 in Mississippi was named the " Roy Wheat Memorial Highway " . Wheat ' s military decorations include the Medal of Honor , the Navy Commendation Medal , the Purple Heart with one gold award star , the National Defense Service Medal , the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service star s , the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal , the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with palm , and the 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 ROY M . WHEAT 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 . L / Cpl . Wheat and 2 other marines were assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban District , Quang Nam Province . After the marines had set up security positions in a tree line adjacent to the work site , L / Cpl . Wheat reconnoitered the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence of guerrillas . He then returned to within 10 feet of the friendly position , and here unintentionally triggered a well concealed , bounding type , antipersonnel mine . Immediately , a hissing sound was heard which was identified by the 3 marines as that of a burning time fuse . Shouting a warning to his comrades , L / Cpl . Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the mine , absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his body . The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor of his unselfish action saved his fellow marines from certain injury and possible death , reflected great credit upon himself , and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U . S . Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / LYNDON B . JOHNSON