Joseph G. Lapointe, Jr.
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| Joseph G. LaPointe Jr | |
|---|---|
| 2 July 1948-2 June 1969 | |
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| Place of birth | Dayton, Ohio |
| Place of death | Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, KIA, received in Vietnam |
| Allegiance | US ARMY |
| Years of service | 1968-1969 |
| Rank | Specialist Fourth Class |
| Unit | 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam Conflict |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star Purple Heart National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal |
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[edit] Biography
Joseph G. LaPointe Jr July 2, 1948 - June 2, 1969 was born in Dayton, Ohio and resided in Clayton, Ohio after having attended Northridge High School where he graduated in 1966, after a short mail carrier job he was drafted on May 8, 1968.
[edit] Citation
Joseph G. Lapointe Jr's Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SP4 La Pointe, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during a combat helicopter assault mission. SP4 La Pointe's patrol was advancing from the landing zone through an adjoining valley when it suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force entrenched in well fortified bunker positions. In the initial hail of fire, 2 soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded. Hearing a call for aid from 1 of the wounded, SP4 La Pointe ran forward through heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker. As members of his unit attempted to provide covering fire, he administered first aid to 1 man, shielding the other with his body. He was hit by a burst of fire from the bunker while attending the wounded soldier. In spite of his painful wounds, SP4 La Pointe continued his lifesaving duties until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous efforts, he moved back again into a shielding position to continue administering first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded all 3 men. SP4 La Pointe's courageous actions at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades. His gallantry and selflessness are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U. S. Army.
[edit] Tributes
A housing complex at Fort Campbell, Kentucky is named for Joseph as well as a medical heliport at Fort Benning, Georgia. State Route 49 in Montgomery County, Ohio has also been designated as “Joseph Guy Lapointe, Jr. Memorial Parkway”.
