In the early hours of Feb. 23, 1969, during a brutal firefight in Vietnam, PFC Oscar P. Austin, a U.S. Marine and assistant machine gunner, found his observation post under fierce attack by a large North Vietnamese force. As grenades exploded and bullets rained down, he spotted a wounded Marine lying exposed in the open.

Without hesitation, PFC Austin raced through the chaos, fully exposed to enemy fire, to rescue the unconscious Marine. Just as he reached him, an enemy grenade landed nearby. With no time to think, PFC Austin dove on it, shielding the wounded Marine with his body.

Wounded and dazed, he turned to help the Marine again, only to see an enemy soldier aiming a weapon his fellow Marine. In one final, fearless act of love and duty, PFC Austin threw himself in front of the rifle, taking the fatal rounds meant for his brother-in-arms.

For his unmatched heroism, PFC Oscar P. Austin was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an assistant machine gunner with Company E, in connection with operations against enemy forces. During the early morning hours Pfc. Austin's observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges, and small-arms fire. Observing that one of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Pfc. Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby and reacting instantly, leaped between the injured marine and the lethal object, absorbing the effects of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the marine, Pfc. Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier, and in so doing, was mortally wounded. Pfc. Austin's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

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