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William Raymond Prom

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William Raymond Prom Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death
9 Feb 1969 (aged 20)
Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Burial
Allison Park, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA GPS-Latitude: 40.5641, Longitude: -80.0046
Plot
Block 2J, Section 11, Grave 11
Memorial ID
View Source
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the United States Marine Corps during the War in Viet Nam as a Lance Corporal in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Rein), FMF. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery near An Hoa in the Republic of Vietnam on February 9, 1969. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machinegun squad leader with Company I, in action against the enemy. While returning from a reconnaissance operation during Operation "Taylor Common," 2 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 1 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 1 man was critically wounded. Reacting instantly, L/Cpl. Prom moved forward to protect his injured comrade. Unable to continue his fire because of his 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." His Medal of Honor was posthumously presented to his family at the White House by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on April 9, 1970. His name can be found on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC on Panel 32W, Row 002. In 1995 a monument was erected in his honor in Reserves Township, Pennsylvania. In 2013, the 31st Street Bridge, which carries vehicular traffic across the Allegheny River between the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Troy Hill (his childhood neighborhood) and the Strip District was renamed the William Raymond Prom Memorial Bridge.
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the United States Marine Corps during the War in Viet Nam as a Lance Corporal in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Rein), FMF. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery near An Hoa in the Republic of Vietnam on February 9, 1969. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machinegun squad leader with Company I, in action against the enemy. While returning from a reconnaissance operation during Operation "Taylor Common," 2 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 1 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 1 man was critically wounded. Reacting instantly, L/Cpl. Prom moved forward to protect his injured comrade. Unable to continue his fire because of his 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." His Medal of Honor was posthumously presented to his family at the White House by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on April 9, 1970. His name can be found on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC on Panel 32W, Row 002. In 1995 a monument was erected in his honor in Reserves Township, Pennsylvania. In 2013, the 31st Street Bridge, which carries vehicular traffic across the Allegheny River between the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Troy Hill (his childhood neighborhood) and the Strip District was renamed the William Raymond Prom Memorial Bridge.

Bio by: RPD2


Inscription

PENNSYLVANIA
L CPL US MARINE CORPS
VIETNAM
MEDAL OF HONOR - PURPLE HEART



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Don Morfe
  • Added: Mar 8, 2003
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7244082/william_raymond-prom: accessed ), memorial page for William Raymond Prom (17 Nov 1948–9 Feb 1969), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7244082, citing Allegheny County Memorial Park, Allison Park, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.