Walter J Marm Jr
Walter J Marm Jr was born on the 20th of November 1941 in Washington, Pennsylvania and after high school, went on to attend and graduate from college with a business degree in 1964. He then joined the US Army in Pittsburgh and attended Officer Candidate School and Ranger School. With both completed, Walter was in Vietnam by September 1965 and it was his actions on the 14th of November that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. As a platoon leader in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 1st Lt. Marm demonstrated indomitable courage during a combat operation. His company was moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded by an enemy force of estimated regimental size. 1st Lt. Marm led his platoon through withering fire until they were finally forced to take cover. Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long, and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his position, he moved quickly under heavy fire and annihilated all 4. Then, seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire from a concealed machine gun, he deliberately exposed himself to draw its fire. Thus locating its position, he attempted to destroy it with an antitank weapon. Although he inflicted casualties, the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly, disregarding the intense fire directed on him and his platoon, he charged 30 meters across open ground, and hurled grenades into the enemy position, killing some of the 8 insurgents manning it. Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended, armed with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the position and killed the remainder of the enemy. 1st Lt. Marm's selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of this mission. 1st Lt. Marm's gallantry on the battlefield and his extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Walter was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and recovered from his wounds. On the 19th of December, 1966, Walter received the Medal of Honor from the Secretary of the Army, Stanley Resor, and three years later was asked to go back to Vietnam for a second tour, only after signing a waiver stating that going back into harm's way was his own choice. Walter J Marm Jr retired from the Army as colonel after thirty years of service and is the only living recipient from Pennsylvania.
