thedrifter
04-17-06, 09:56 AM
Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Born this day, 17 April, 1939.
Sgt. Paul Hellstrom Foster, USMC
Paul Hellstrom Foster, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in October 1967, was born 17 April 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 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 4 November 1961, in San Francisco, California, and received recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and individual combat training with the 2d Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton.
After completion of combat training in March 1962, he joined the 5th 105mm Howitzer Battery (later redesignated Headquarters Battery, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division), a Reserve unit, at Navy and Marine Corps Training Center, Treasure Island, 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, 1 February 1966.
Called to active duty in November 1966, Sergeant Foster embarked for the Republic of Vietnam, and in December, joined Company H, 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division. While serving as an Artillery Liaison Operations Chief with the 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division, near Con Thien on 14 October 1967, Sergeant Foster was mortally wounded when he threw himself upon a hand grenade to save the lives of his five comrades.
His medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation; the National Defense Service Medal; the Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Sergeant Foster was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Foster, Sr., of San Francisco, California, one brother, and one sister.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Near Con Thien, Republic of Vietnam, 14 October 1967. Entered service at: San Francisco, Calif. Born: 17 April 1939, San Mateo, Calif. 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 2d Battalion. In the early morning hours the 2d Battalion was occupying a defensive position which protected a bridge on the road leading from Con Thien 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 force 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, Sgt. 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 Sgt. Foster and his 5 companions. Realizing the danger, he shouted a warning, threw his armored vest over the grenade, and unhesitatingly placed his body over the armored vest. When the grenade exploded, Sgt. Foster absorbed the entire blast with his body and was mortally wounded. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death. Sgt. 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Ellie
Sgt. Paul Hellstrom Foster, USMC
Paul Hellstrom Foster, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in October 1967, was born 17 April 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 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 4 November 1961, in San Francisco, California, and received recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and individual combat training with the 2d Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton.
After completion of combat training in March 1962, he joined the 5th 105mm Howitzer Battery (later redesignated Headquarters Battery, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division), a Reserve unit, at Navy and Marine Corps Training Center, Treasure Island, 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, 1 February 1966.
Called to active duty in November 1966, Sergeant Foster embarked for the Republic of Vietnam, and in December, joined Company H, 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division. While serving as an Artillery Liaison Operations Chief with the 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division, near Con Thien on 14 October 1967, Sergeant Foster was mortally wounded when he threw himself upon a hand grenade to save the lives of his five comrades.
His medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation; the National Defense Service Medal; the Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Sergeant Foster was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Foster, Sr., of San Francisco, California, one brother, and one sister.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Near Con Thien, Republic of Vietnam, 14 October 1967. Entered service at: San Francisco, Calif. Born: 17 April 1939, San Mateo, Calif. 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 2d Battalion. In the early morning hours the 2d Battalion was occupying a defensive position which protected a bridge on the road leading from Con Thien 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 force 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, Sgt. 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 Sgt. Foster and his 5 companions. Realizing the danger, he shouted a warning, threw his armored vest over the grenade, and unhesitatingly placed his body over the armored vest. When the grenade exploded, Sgt. Foster absorbed the entire blast with his body and was mortally wounded. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death. Sgt. 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Ellie