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Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thankful Thursday

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RALPH E. DIAS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Awarded the Medal Of Honor, 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 Rifleman with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam on November 12, 1969. As a member of a reaction force which was pinned down by enemy fire while assisting a platoon in the same circumstance, Private First Class Dias, observing that both units were sustaining casualties, initiated an aggressive assault against an enemy machine gun bunker which was the principal source of hostile fire. Severely wounded by enemy snipers while charging across the open area, he pulled himself to the shelter of a nearby rock. Braving enemy fire for a second time, Private First Class Dias was again wounded. Unable to walk, he crawled fifteen meters to the protection of a rock located near his objective and, repeatedly exposing himself to intense hostile fire, unsuccessfully threw several hand grenades at the machine gun emplacement. Still determined to destroy the emplacement, Private First Class Dias again moved into the open and was wounded a third time by sniper fire. As he threw a last grenade which destroyed the enemy position, he was mortally wounded by another enemy round. Private First Class Dias' indomitable courage, dynamic initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in service to his country.

4 comments:

Andrea said...

Thank you for reminding us of the sacrifices made.
Praying for all those serving our country,
andrea

Heart2Heart said...

Kurt,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention once again. I am forever thankful for the sacrifice he made and for the sacrifice his family has made as well.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

NicNacManiac said...

You really are a stand up guy and we thank you for that!! We have these men and women in our prayers daily!
That red 'stuff' is a pomegrante cocktail!! Try it...you'll like it!

God a Have Faith said...

I wish we could all know how much courage, pain and suffering each man had to go through while serving not only in Viet Nam, but every war we have waged or been in. I will keep them in my prayers!