~ In Memory of JOHN PAUL BOBO ~
JOHN PAUL BOBO
JOHN PAUL BOBO
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps
Reserve
3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF.
Place and Date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 30 March 1967.
Entered Service at: Buffalo, N.Y.
Born : 14 February 1943, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Company 1 was
establishing night ambush sites when the command group was attacked by a
reinforced North Vietnamese company supported by heavy automatic weapons and
mortar fire. 2d Lt. Bobo immediately organized a hasty defense and moved from
position to position encouraging the outnumbered marines despite the murderous
enemy fire. Recovering a rocket launcher from among the friendly casualties, he
organized a new launcher team and directed its fire into the enemy machinegun
positions. When an exploding enemy mortar round severed 2d Lt. Bobo's right leg
below the knee, he refused to be evacuated and insisted upon being placed in a
firing position to cover the movement of the command group to a better location.
With a web belt around his leg serving as a tourniquet and with his leg jammed
into the dirt to curtain the bleeding, he remained in this position and
delivered devastating fire into the ranks of the enemy attempting to overrun the
marines. 2d Lt. Bobo was mortally wounded while firing his weapon into the main
point of the enemy attack but his valiant spirit inspired his men to heroic
efforts, and his tenacious stand enabled the command group to gain a protective
position where it repulsed the enemy onslaught. 2d Lt. Bobo's superb leadership,
dauntless courage, and bold initiative reflected great credit upon himself and
upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He
gallantly gave his life for his country.
"GREATER LOVE HAS NO MAN:
THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS "