Daniel D. Bruce

Private First Class · U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps, Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division

1 March 1969 · Fire Support Base Tomahawk, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam

Public domain. U.S. Marine Corps Source file

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Era: Vietnam War
Home state: Indiana
Action: Fire Support Base Tomahawk, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam

The citation

Official citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a mortar man with Headquarters and Service Company 3d Battalion, against the enemy. Early in the morning Private First Class Bruce was on watch in his night defensive position at fire support base tomahawk when he heard movements ahead of him. An enemy explosive charge was thrown toward his position and he reacted instantly, catching the device and shouting to alert his companions. Realizing the danger to the adjacent position with its 2 occupants, Private First Class Bruce held the device to his body and attempted to carry it from the vicinity of the entrenched marines. As he moved away, the charge detonated and he absorbed the full force of the explosion. Private First Class Bruce's indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty saved the lives of 3 of his fellow marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Sources

U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index
Wikipedia. Linked only. The article text is not copied here.