Paul H. Foster: Difference between revisions

| name = Paul Hellstrom Foster

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1939|4|17}}

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1967|10|14|1939|4|17}}

| birth_place = [[San Mateo, California]]

| death_place = [[Con Thien]], [[South Vietnam]]

| rankbranch = [[Sergeant#{{flag|United States|Sergeant]] Marine Corps}}

'''Paul Hellstrom Foster''' (April 17, 1939 – October 14, 1967) was a [[United States Marine]] who was [[Posthumouskilled recognition|posthumouslyin action]] receivedduring the [[MedalCon Thien|Siege of HonorCon Thien]] for heroism in the [[Vietnam War]]. He was awarded the nation's highest military award for valor, the [[Medal of Honor]], [[Posthumous recognition|Vietnamposthumously]], infor his heroic action on October 14, 1967.

Foster was born on April 17, 1939, in [[San Mateo, California]]. He attended elementary and high schools there, and was a member of the varsity football and track teams. After graduating from high school in 1957, he went toFoster workworked as an automobile mechanic helper.

HeFoster enlisted in the [[Marine Forces Reserve|Marine Corps Reserve]] on November 4, 1961, in [[San Francisco]], California, and received [[recruit training]] with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego]], and individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]].

After completion of combat training in March 1962, heFoster joined the 5th 105 mm Howitzer Battery (later redesignated Headquarters Battery, [[14th Marine Regiment (United States)|14th Marines]], [[4th Marine Division (United States)|4th Marine Division]]), a Reserve unit, at [[Treasure Island (California)|Navy and Marine Corps Training Center Treasure Island]] in San Francisco. While on inactive duty, heFoster was promoted to [[private first class]] in March 1963, to [[Lance Corporal#United States|Lance Corporal]] in August 1963; to [[Corporal#United States|Corporal]] in April 1964, and to [[Sergeant#United States|Sergeant]] on February 1, 1966.

The Medal of Honor was presented to hisFoster’s family by President Richard M. Nixon, in a ceremony at the [[White House]] on June 20, 1969.

Foster's medals and decorations include: <center>

| colspan="3" align="center" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=A light blue ribbon with five white five pointed stars}}

| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart BARribbon.svg|width=106}}

| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Ribbon,United U.S.States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}}

| {{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service RibbonMedal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.pngsvg|width=106}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Artillery Liaison Operations Chief with the Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division, near Con Thien in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of October 14, 1967, the Second Battalion was occupying a defensive position which protected a bridge on the road leading from Con Thien to [[Cam Lộ Combat Base|Cam Lộ]]. Suddenly, the Marines' position came under a heavy volume of mortar and artillery fire, followed by an aggressive enemy ground assault. In the ensuing engagement, the hostile forces penetrated the perimeter and brought a heavy concentration of small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire to bear on the Battalion Command Post. Although his position in the Fire Support Coordination Center was dangerously exposed to enemy fire and he was wounded when an enemy hand grenade exploded near his position, Sergeant Foster resolutely continued to direct accurate mortar and artillery fire on the advancing North Vietnamese troops. As the attack continued, a hand grenade landed in the midst of Sergeant Foster and his five companions. Realizing the danger, he shouted a warning, threw his armored vest over the grenade, and unhesitatingly placed his own body over the armored vest. When the grenade exploded, Sergeant Foster absorbed the entire blast with his own body and was mortally wounded. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death. Sergeant Foster's courage, extraordinary heroism, and unfaltering devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the [[United States Navy|United States Naval Service]]. He gallantly gave his life for his country.<ref name=ACMH>{{Cite web |publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]] |title=Medal of Honor recipients |work=Medal of Honor citations |date=August 3, 2009 |url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/Vietnam-a-l.html |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-date=June 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627093600/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* {{Cite web|accessdateaccess-date=October 4, 2010 |url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Foster_PH.htm |title="Sergeant Paul H. Foster, USMR", ''Who's Who in Marine Corps History'', USMC |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615094552/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Foster_PH.htm |archivedatearchive-date=June 15, 2011 }}

* {{Cite web|accessdateaccess-date=October 4, 2010 |url=http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa300750d8a?OpenDocument |title=Medal of Honor citation |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711203222/http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa300750d8a?OpenDocument |archivedatearchive-date=July 11, 2007 }}

* {{Cite web |accessdateaccess-date=October 4, 2010 |url=http://www.virtualwall.org/df/FosterPH01a.htm |title=SGT Paul Hellstrom Foster, Panel 27E Line 108, on ''VirtualWall.org''. Accessed April 8, 2006}}

[[Category:United States MarinesMarine Corps non-commissioned officers]]