On March 11, 1970, in the jungles of Vietnam, Staff Sergeant (at the time) Allan Kellogg of Company G, U.S. Marine Corps, displayed unimaginable bravery during a fierce firefight.

While leading a small unit evacuating a fallen Marine, SSgt Kellogg and his men were ambushed by a larger, well-hidden enemy force. Gunfire erupted from all directions as the Marines fought to survive. In the chaos, an enemy soldier hurled a grenade that bounced off Kellogg’s chest and landed at his feet.

Without hesitation, SSgt Kellogg shoved the grenade into the mud and threw himself on top of it, absorbing the full blast with his body to shield his fellow Marines. Though seriously wounded in the chest, shoulder, and arm, he refused medical treatment and continued to lead, ensuring his men reached the safety of the company perimeter.

For his selfless act of valor and leadership under fire, Staff Sergeant Allan Kellogg was awarded the Medal of Honor. He is one of 61 recipients still living today.

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 a platoon sergeant with Company G, in connection with combat operations against the enemy on the night of 11 March 1970. Under the leadership of G/Sgt. Kellogg, a small unit from Company G was evacuating a fallen comrade when the unit came under a heavy volume of small-arms and automatic-weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force occupying well-concealed emplacements in the surrounding jungle. During the ensuing fierce engagement, an enemy soldier managed to maneuver through the dense foliage to a position near the marines, and hurled a hand grenade into their midst which glanced off the chest of GSgt. Kellogg. Quick to act, he forced the grenade into the mud in which he was standing, threw himself over the lethal weapon and absorbed the full effects of its detonation with his body, thereby preventing serious injury or possible death to several of his fellow marines. Although suffering multiple injuries to his chest and his right shoulder and arm, G/Sgt. Kellogg resolutely continued to direct the efforts of his men until all were able to maneuver to the relative safety of the company perimeter. By his heroic and decisive action in risking his life to save the lives of his comrades, G/Sgt. Kellogg reflected the highest credit upon himself and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

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Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

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