Marvin Glenn Shields
Encyclopedia
Marvin Glenn Shields was the first, and remains the only, Seabee
to receive the Medal of Honor
. He was also the first United States Navy
Sailor to receive the Medal of Honor
for action in Vietnam.
, enlisted in the Navy January 8, 1962. Shields graduated from high school in 1958 and had moved to Hyder, Alaska
, where he worked the goldmines. After construction training, he served with Mobile Construction Battalion 11, and was with Seabee
Team 1104 at Dong Xoai
, South Vietnam, June 10, 1965, when a Vietcong regiment attacked. After being wounded, Shields continued to carry up ammunition to the firing line, and after receiving a second wound, insisted on helping a more severely wounded soldier to safety. Refusing to consider himself and now greatly weakened, he again exposed himself to enemy fire, volunteering to help knock out a machine gun which had the entire camp pinned down. Shields died from wounds he received after he and others “succeeded in destroying the enemy machine gun emplacement, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of their fellow servicemen in the compound.” He posthumously received the Medal of Honor
September 13, 1966. He is buried at Gardiner Cemetery, Gardiner, Washington
. His name is listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
on Panel 02E, Row 007.
Citation:
Seabee
Seabees are members of the United States Navy construction battalions. The word Seabee is a proper noun that comes from the initials of Construction Battalion, of the United States Navy...
to receive the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. He was also the first United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Sailor to receive the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for action in Vietnam.
Biography
Marvin G. Shields born December 30, 1939, in Port Townsend, WashingtonPort Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is a city in Jefferson County, Washington, United States, approximately north-northwest of Seattle . The population was 9,113 at the 2010 census an increase of 9.3% over the 2000 census. It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson County...
, enlisted in the Navy January 8, 1962. Shields graduated from high school in 1958 and had moved to Hyder, Alaska
Hyder, Alaska
Hyder is a census-designated place in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 97. Hyder has achieved fame as a point in Alaska accessible to automobile and motorbike travelers in Canada who want to say that they have been to Alaska...
, where he worked the goldmines. After construction training, he served with Mobile Construction Battalion 11, and was with Seabee
Seabee
Seabees are members of the United States Navy construction battalions. The word Seabee is a proper noun that comes from the initials of Construction Battalion, of the United States Navy...
Team 1104 at Dong Xoai
Dong Xoai
Đồng Xoài is the capital town of Binh Phuoc province, in the southeastern region of Vietnam. It is located at around .The town was the site of the 1965 Battle of Đồng Xoài during the Vietnam War....
, South Vietnam, June 10, 1965, when a Vietcong regiment attacked. After being wounded, Shields continued to carry up ammunition to the firing line, and after receiving a second wound, insisted on helping a more severely wounded soldier to safety. Refusing to consider himself and now greatly weakened, he again exposed himself to enemy fire, volunteering to help knock out a machine gun which had the entire camp pinned down. Shields died from wounds he received after he and others “succeeded in destroying the enemy machine gun emplacement, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of their fellow servicemen in the compound.” He posthumously received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
September 13, 1966. He is buried at Gardiner Cemetery, Gardiner, Washington
Gardiner, Washington
right|450px|Looking north from GardinerGardiner is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. Gardiner is located on the Miller Peninsula, at the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula on Discovery Bay,...
. His name is listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a national memorial in Washington, D.C. It honors U.S. service members of the U.S. armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War, service members who died in service in Vietnam/South East Asia, and those service members who were unaccounted for during the War.Its...
on Panel 02E, Row 007.
Medal of Honor citation
Marvin G. Shields, United States Navy, (posthumous), Construction Mechanic Third Class, U.S. Navy, Seabee Team 1104., Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam, 10 June 1965.Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with United States Navy Seabee Team 1104 at Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam, on 10 June 1965. Although wounded when the compound of Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, came under intense fire from an estimated reinforced Viet Cong regiment employing machine gun, heavy weapons and small arms, Shields continued to resupply his fellow Americans with needed ammunition and to return the enemy fire for a period of approximately three hours, at which time the Viet Cong launched a massive attack at close range with flame throwers, hand grenades and small-arms fire. Wounded a second time during this attack, Shields nevertheless assisted in carrying a more critically wounded man to safety, and then resumed firing at the enemy for four more hours. When the CommanderCharles Q. WilliamsCharles Quincy Williams was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
asked for a volunteer to accompany him in an attempt to knock out an enemy machine gun emplacement which was endangering the lives of all personnel in the compound because of the accuracy of its fire, Shields unhesitatingly volunteered for this extremely hazardous mission. Proceeding toward their objective with a 3.5- inch rocket launcher, they succeeded in destroying the enemy machine gun emplacement, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of their fellow servicemen in the compound. Shields was mortally wounded by hostile fire while returning to his defensive position. His heroic initiative and great personal valor in the face of intense enemy fire sustain and enhance the finest tradition of the United States Naval Service.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War