Medal of Honor Winner

Paul Hellstrom Foster

Sergeant H BTRY, 3RD BN, 12TH MARINES,

3RD MAR DIV

United States Marine Corps

17 April 1939 - 14 October 1967

San Francisco, California

Panel 27E Line 108

The President of the United States,

in the name of the Congress,

takes pride in presenting posthumously the

MEDAL OF HONOR to

PAUL HELLSTROM FOSTER

Sergeant, United States Marine Corps 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 2d Battalion, 4th Marines. In the early morning hours the 2d Battalion was occupying a defensive position which protected a bridge on the road leading from Con Thien 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 force 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, SGT 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 SGT Foster and his 5 companions. Realizing the danger, he shouted a warning, threw his armored vest over the grenade, and unhesitatingly placed his body over the armored vest. When the grenade exploded, SGT Foster absorbed the entire blast with his body and was mortally wounded. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death. SGT 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Richard M. Nixon,

President of the United States of America,

presented the Medal of Honor to his family

at the White House on 20 June 1969.

Sergeant Paul H. Foster

is buried in Grave 4764, Section V,

Golden Gate National Cemetery,

San Francisco, California.

From a brother in combat,

John E Mongiovemailto:Mongiovemmemapopy@tampabay.rr.com

06 Dec 2002