Robert D. Law

Robert David Law

Army Medal of Honor
Born September 15, 1944(1944-09-15)
Fort Worth, Texas
Died February 22, 1969(1969-02-22) (aged 24)
Tinh Phuoc Thanh Province, Republic of Vietnam
Place of burial Mount Olivet Cemetery Fort Worth, Texas
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1967 - 1969
Rank Specialist Four
Unit F-co 52nd infantry regiment/75th Ranger Infantry Regiment(LRRS)(Airborne), 1st Infantry Division
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Medal of Honor
Bronze Star
Purple Heart

Robert David Law (September 15, 1944 – February 22, 1969) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Contents

Biography

Law joined the Army from Dallas, Texas in 1967, and by February 22, 1969 was serving as a specialist four in Company F (Ranger)(LRRS), 52ND Infantry Regiment/75th Ranger Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 1st Infantry Division. During a firefight on that day, in Tinh Phuoc Thanh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Law smothered the blast of an enemy grenade with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him.

Law, aged 24 at his death, was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in his birth city of Fort Worth, Texas.

Medal of Honor citation

Specialist Law's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4 Law distinguished himself while serving with Company I. While on a long-range reconnaissance patrol in Tinh Phuoc Thanh province, Sp4 Law and 5 comrades made contact with a small enemy patrol. As the opposing elements exchanged intense fire, he maneuvered to a perilously exposed position flanking his comrades and began placing suppressive fire on the hostile troops. Although his team was hindered by a low supply of ammunition and suffered from an unidentified irritating gas in the air, Sp4 Law's spirited defense and challenging counterassault rallied his fellow soldiers against the well-equipped hostile troops. When an enemy grenade landed in his team's position, Sp4 Law, instead of diving into the safety of a stream behind him, threw himself on the grenade to save the lives of his comrades. Sp4 Law's extraordinary courage and profound concern for his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

See also

Biography portal
United States Army portal

References