Near Stafford in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Austin Hall
Photographed By Kevin W., September 14, 2007
1. Austin Hall Marker
Inscription.
Austin Hall. .
Private First Class Oscar P. Austin United States Marine Corps, Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, Awarded the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) for heroism during combat against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 23 February 1969, He gallantly gave his life for his country..
Private First Class
Oscar P. Austin
United States
Marine Corps
Company E, Second Battalion,
Seventh Marines, First Marine Division
Awarded the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) for heroism during combat against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 23 February 1969
He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Erected by the United States Marine Corps.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 23, 1969.
Location. 38° 29.751′
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N, 77° 26.316′ W. Marker is near Stafford, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker is at the intersection of Montezuma Avenue and Gilbert Road, on the right when traveling north on Montezuma Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24202 Montezuma Avenue, Stafford VA 22556, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Additional commentary. 1. Medal of Honor Citation PFC OSCAR P. AUSTIN
Medal of Honor
1969
2/7/1
Vietnam
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
Official U S M C Photo
3. Oscar P. Austin, USMC
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 23 February 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
— Submitted October 8, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,102 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
