b. 17/11/1948 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. d. 09/02/1969 near An Hoa, Vietnam.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 09/02/1969 near An Hoa, Vietnam.
William R Prom MOH
William Raymond Prom was born on November 17, 1948, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Mt. Troy Public School in Pittsburgh and Millvale High School in Millvale, Pennsylvania.
Prom enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at Pittsburgh on December 8, 1967, and was discharged to enlist in the Regular Marine Corps on December 27, 1967.
Upon completion of recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, he was promoted to private first class on March 1, 1968. Transferred to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he underwent individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment, and weapons special training with the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment, completing the latter in April 1968.
In June 1968, he arrived in the Republic of Vietnam, where he served consecutively as ammunition man, assistant gunner, machine gun team leader, and machine gun squad leader, with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on September 1, 1968. While participating in Operation Taylor Common during a reconnaissance in force operation southwest of An Hoa Combat Base on February 9, 1969, he was killed in action. His famiy were presented with his Medal of Honor by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on April 20, 1970 at The White House.
MOH CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine-gun squad leader with Company I, in action against the enemy. While returning from a reconnaissance operation during Operation Taylor Common, two platoons of Company I came under an intense automatic-weapons fire and grenade attack from a well-concealed North Vietnamese Army force in fortified positions. The leading element of the platoon was isolated and several marines were wounded. L/Cpl. Prom immediately assumed control of one of his machine guns and began to deliver return fire. Disregarding his safety he advanced to a position from which he could more effectively deliver covering fire while first aid was administered to the wounded men. Realizing that the enemy would have to be destroyed before the injured marines could be evacuated, L/Cpl. Prom again moved forward and delivered a heavy volume of fire with such accuracy that he was instrumental in routing the enemy, thus permitting his men to regroup and resume their march. Shortly thereafter, the platoon again came under heavy fire in which one man was critically wounded. Reacting instantly, L/Cpl. Prom moved forward to protect his injured comrade. Unable to continue his fire because of severe wounds, he continued to advance to within a few yards to the enemy positions. There, standing in full view of the enemy, he accurately directed the fire of his support elements until he was mortally wounded. Inspired by his heroic actions, the marines launched an assault that destroyed the enemy. L/Cpl. Prom’s indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
BURIAL LOCATION: ALLEGHENY MEMORIAL PARK, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.
SECTION 2J, LOT 11.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: SOLDIER & SAILORS MEMORIAL HALL & MUSEUM, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.
