b. 15/09/1944 Fort Worth, Texas. d. 22/02/1969 Tinh Phuoc, Vietnam.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 22/02/1969 Tinh Phuoc, Vietnam.
Robert D Law MOH
Robert D. Law was born on September 14, 1944, in Fort Worth, Texas to Robert M. Law of Leander and Martha Moore of Fort Worth. He graduated from Technical High School (now the Green B. Trimble Technical High School) in Fort Worth. In 1967, he joined the Army at Dallas, Texas.
He served in Vietnam as a Specialist Fourth Class with Ranger Company I, 75th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. On February 22, 1969, Law was on a long range reconnaissance patrol in the Tinh Phuoc Thanh Province. Law and five other soldiers were attacked by a small but well armed enemy force. Both sides exchanged heavy fire and Law positioned himself along his unit’s flank, a dangerous but necessary position to take. Law’s squad was low on ammunition and suffered from an unidentified and irritating gas in the air. An enemy grenade landed in between Law and the other soldiers, and instead of leaping to the safety of the creek behind him, Law jumped onto the grenade. By sacrificing himself, Law saved the lives of the other soldiers, and for this action he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
His Medal of Honor was presented to his parents on August 6, 1970, by President Richard Nixon at the White House. Robert D. Law is buried at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas.
MOH CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Law distinguished himself while serving with Company I. While on a long-range reconnaissance patrol in Tinh Phuoc Thanh Province, Sp4c. Law and five comrades made contact with a small enemy patrol. As the opposing elements exchanged intense fire, he maneuvered to a perilously exposed position flanking his comrades and began placing suppressive fire on the hostile troops. Although his team was hindered by a low supply of ammunition and suffered from an unidentified irritating gas in the air, Sp4c. Law’s spirited defense and challenging counterassault rallied his fellow soldiers against the well-equipped hostile troops. When an enemy grenade landed in his team’s position, Sp4c. Law, instead of diving into the safety of a stream behind him, threw himself on the grenade to save the lives of his comrades. Sp4c. Law’s extraordinary courage and profound concern for his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
BURIAL LOCATION: MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY, FORT WORTH, TEXAS.
ACACIA LAWN, LOT 297.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM, ARLINGTON, TEXAS.
