THE WALL OF FACES

Joseph, Although we never met, I just want you to know you are not forgotten. You gave the ultimate sacrifice, your life for what you believed in. Sleep well my friend, and thank you for protecting our freedoms.

As a fellow Buckeye, I say "THANK YOU"

As a Veteran, I say "JOB WELL DONE, SOLDIER"

As an American, "YOUR DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN"

And as a Believer, "YOUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE--AND STRONG"

Again, thank you for your heroic and valiant service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours! ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND

SPECIALIST 4


JOSEPH GUY LA POINTE


served as a


MEDICAL AIDMAN


with the


2nd SQUADRON

17th CAVALRY

101st AIRBORNE DIVISION


" THE SCREAMING EAGLES "


and was a posthumous recipient of the


CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


who rests in honored glory in


RIVERSIDE CEMETERY


WEST MILTON, OHIO



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CITATION

FOR AWARD OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


QUANG TIN PROVINCE

REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

2 JUNE 1969



For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Specialist 4 La Pointe, Headquarters
and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, distinguished himself while
serving as a medical aidman during a combat helicopter assault mission.
Specialist 4 La Pointe's patrol was advancing from the landing zone
through an adjoining valley when it suddenly encountered heavy
automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force entrenched in well
fortified bunker positions. In the inital hail of fire, two soldiers in the
formation vanguard were seriously wounded. Hearing a call for aid
from one of the wounded, Specialist 4 La Pointe ran forward through
heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the wounded men,
he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker. As members
of his unit attempted to provide covering fire, he administered first aid
to one man, shielding the other with his body. He was hit by a burst of
fire from the bunker while attending the wounded soldier. In spite of
his painful wounds, Specialist 4 La Pointe continued his lifesaving duties
until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous
efforts, he moved back again into a shielding position to continue
administering first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded
all three men. Specialist 4 La Pointe's courageous actions at the cost of
his life were an inspiration to his comrades. His gallantry and selflessness
are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit
on himself his unit, and the United States Army.



************************************************************



CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


was presented to his family

on 16 December 1971

at the

OLD EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING

by the

Vice President of the United States of America

Spiro T. Agnew



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THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL

AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


A housing complex at

Fort Campbell, Kentucky

home of the

101st Airborne Division

is named in his honor

for this hero of the division

Joe was awarded the medal of honor for his actions as a combat medic when he was trying to save the lives of 2 wounded comrades of B troop 2nd/17th air cav - 101st Airborne Div. west of Tam Ky during operation Lamar Plain. Joe and both his friends were kia by a NVA grenade. Rest in peace brave screaming eagle. Blessed are the peacemakers.