Paul H. Foster

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Paul Hellstrom Foster
April 17, 1939(1939-04-17) – October 14, 1967 (aged 28)
Paul H. Foster, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	San Mateo, California
Place of death	KIA at Con Thien, Vietnam
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1961-1967
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	2nd Battalion 4th Marines
Battles/wars	Siege of Con Thien
Awards	Medal of Honor (1967) Purple Heart

Paul Hellstrom Foster (April 17, 1939–October 14, 1967) was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in October 1967.

1 Biography
2 Awards and decorations
3 Medal of Honor citation
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Biography

Foster was born on 17 April 1939, in San Mateo, California. He attended elementary and high schools there, and was a member of the varsity football and track teams. After graduating from high school in 1957, he went to work as an automobile mechanic helper.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on 4 November 1961, in San Francisco, California, and received recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD San Diego, and individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton.

After completion of combat training in March 1962, he joined the 5th 105mm Howitzer Battery (later redesignated Headquarters Battery, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division), a Reserve unit, at Navy and Marine Corps Training Center, Treasure Island, San Francisco. While on inactive duty, he was promoted to private first class in March 1963, to Lance Corporal in August 1963; to Corporal in April 1964, and to Sergeant on 1 February 1966.

Called to active duty in November 1966, Sgt Foster embarked for the Republic of Vietnam, and in December, joined Company H, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. While serving as an Artillery Liaison Operations Chief with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, near Con Thien on 14 October 1967, Sgt Foster was mortally wounded when he threw himself upon a hand grenade to save the lives of his five comrades.

The Medal of Honor was presented to his family by President Richard M. Nixon, in a ceremony at the White House on June 20, 1969.

Sergeant Paul H. Foster is buried in Grave 4764, Section V, Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.

[edit] Awards and decorations

His medals and decorations include:

Medal of Honor

Purple Heart

Presidential Unit Citation (United States)

National Defense Service Medal

Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal

Vietnam Service Medal (with one bronze star)

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

SERGEANT PAUL H. FOSTER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

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 an Artillery Liaison Operations Chief with the Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division, near Con Thien in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 14 October 1967, the Second Battalion was occupying a defensive position which protected a bridge on the road leading from Con Thein to Cam Lo. Suddenly, the Marines' position came under a heavy volume of mortar and artillery fire, followed by an aggressive enemy ground assault. In the ensuing engagement, the hostile forces penetrated the perimeter and brought a heavy concentration of small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire to bear on the Battalion Command Post. Although his position in the Fire Support Coordination Center was dangerously exposed to enemy fire and he was wounded when an enemy hand grenade exploded near his position, Sergeant Foster resolutely continued to direct accurate mortar and artillery fire on the advancing North Vietnamese troops. As the attack continued, a hand grenade landed in the midst of Sergeant Foster and his five companions. Realizing the danger, he shouted a warning, threw his armored vest over the grenade, and unhesitatingly placed his own body over the armored vest. When the grenade exploded, Sergeant Foster absorbed the entire blast with his own body and was mortally wounded. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death. Sergeant Foster's courage, extraordinary heroism, and unfaltering devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ RICHARD NIXON