Frederick G Monahan

Lance Corporal Frederick G. Monahan, United States Marine Corps. For extraordinary heroism while serving as an Intelligence Scout with Company E, Second Battalion, Third Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 3 May 1967. During Operation BEACON STAR, while deployed on a hill complex south of Hill 881 in the vicinity of Khe Sanh, Lance Corporal Monahanís company came under intense mortar and automatic weapons fire and hand grenade attack from an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Army forces. Lance Corporal Monahan positioned himself between the command post and the attacking enemy. After repeated vicious attacks, the enemy penetrated the perimeter and had advanced to within twenty meters of the command post when he boldly launched a fierce singlehanded assault with rifle fire and hand grenades. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly exposed himself to hostile fire to direct accurate rifle fire on the enemy. Although painfully wounded by grenade fragments, he repulsed repeated enemy assaults, killing the determined enemy soldiers in hand to hand combat as they attempted to overrun his position. With exceptional courage and fortitude, he kept the numerically superior North Vietnamese pinned down for more than two hours until reinforcements arrived at daylight. Steadfastly maintaining his position, he guided the relief force into position and skillfully directed their fire against the retreating enemy. By his intrepid fighting spirit, exceptional fortitude and gallant initiative, Lance Corporal Monahan served to inspire all who observed him and contributed in large measure to the success of his unit in repelling the attackers. His great personal valor reflected the highest credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Mr. Monahan resides in Pennyslvania.