Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Private First Class Oscar P. Austin
United States Marine Corps
Photographed By James Hulse, November 20, 2022
1. Private First Class Oscar P. Austin Marker
Inscription.
Private First Class Oscar P. Austin. United States Marine Corps.
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to Private First Class Oscar P. Austin 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 Assistant Machine Gunner with Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of February 23, 1969, Private First Class Austin's observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges and small arms fire. Observing that one of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Private First Class Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his own safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the Marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby and reacting instantly, leaped between the injured Marine and the lethal object, absorbing the effect of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the Marine, Private First Class Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier and, in so doing, was mortally wounded. Private First Class Austin's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. /S/Richard M. NIxon
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to Private First Class Oscar P. Austin
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 Assistant Machine Gunner with Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of February 23, 1969, Private First Class Austin's observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges and small arms fire. Observing that one of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Private First Class Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his own safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the Marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby and reacting instantly, leaped between the injured Marine and the lethal object, absorbing
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the effect of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the Marine, Private First Class Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier and, in so doing, was mortally wounded. Private First Class Austin's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. /S/Richard M. NIxon
Erected 2017 by Vietnam Veterans of America at Large - Michael Bishop and Michael Neely, Life Members.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam.
Location. 31° 36.76′ N, 94° 39.158′ W. Marker is in Nacogdoches, Texas, in Nacogdoches County. Memorial is at the intersection of North Street (Business U.S. 59) and Lewis Street, on the right when traveling north on North Street. The marker is located in front of the City of Nacogdoches building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1112 North Street, Nacogdoches TX 75961, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. The view of the markers in front of the city building
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
