Corporal William D. Trent October 24, 1948 – May 8, 1968
William was born in Columbus, Georgia to John & Myrtle Trent. Shortly after William's birth, the Trent family moved to Dyer. William graduated from Dyer Central High School in 1966. After high school, he worked at the Caterpillar Tractor Company. On July 8, 1967, William enlisted in the U.S. Marines. After completing his training at Camp Pendleton, California he was sent to Vietnam. William received the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism for his selfless actions on May 8, 1968. William saved the lives of many of his fellow Marines despite being mortally wounded. He is buried next to his father, a WWII veteran, at Memory Lane in Schererville.
William was recorded saying, "There is no greater honor than to die for my country and the people I love."
NAVY CROSS
PURPLE HEART with 2 GOLD STARS
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL
VIETNAM MILITARY MERIT MEDAL
VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS w/PALM
LCpl. U.S. Marine Corps, {MC2381048}, Vietnam War-LCpl. Trent was killed in action during Operation Houston II near the Hat Van Bridge on 5-8-1968 while serving as a {0311] Rifleman with Co. M of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in which he was a recipient of the Navy Cross. LCpl. Trent started his tour in Vietnam on December 17, 1967.
He is the son of Mr. John L. & Mrs. Myrtle Trent now of 2951 Northwest 71st Street, Miami, Florida, 33147,and he attended East Peoria H.S., and graduated from Lake Central H.S., St. John, Indiana, and worked for Caterpillar for a short time before he went into the Marines on July 17, 1967. He does leave one sister, Miss Dean Trent of Miami, Florida.
Awards: Navy Cross, Purple Heart with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with One Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
Corporal William D. Trent, Navy Cross Citation
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On 9 May 1968, when Company M encountered a large North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Nam Province, Corporal Trent's platoon, serving as the forward element, came under heavy enemy automatic weapons and small-arms fire. Reacting instantly, he skillfully maneuvered his machine gun teams toward the enemy positions, despite the continuing hostile fire. When both the gunner and assistant gunner of one of the teams became casualties, Corporal Trent, undaunted by the enemy fire erupting around him, manned the machine gun and continued to advance against the enemy.
Disregarding his own safety, he delivered effective fire into a fortified position, silencing the automatic weapon. Shifting his fire to another target of opportunity, he quickly annihilated a second enemy position. He then observed two North Vietnamese soldiers moving to occupy the first gun position. Instantly, he seized his machine gun and a belt of ammunition and courageously advanced against the enemy occupied position, firing his weapon as he maneuvered forward.
Moving to within a few feet of the pinned down enemy, he killed both hostile soldiers. Quickly emplacing his machine gun in the fortified position, he began firing into the enemy's flank. Although mortally wounded by an enemy hand grenade, he remained at his exposed position until elements of his platoon were able to maneuver forward. By his bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Trent inspired all who observed him."
William was born in Columbus, Georgia to John & Myrtle Trent. Shortly after William's birth, the Trent family moved to Dyer. William graduated from Dyer Central High School in 1966. After high school, he worked at the Caterpillar Tractor Company. On July 8, 1967, William enlisted in the U.S. Marines. After completing his training at Camp Pendleton, California he was sent to Vietnam. William received the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism for his selfless actions on May 8, 1968. William saved the lives of many of his fellow Marines despite being mortally wounded. He is buried next to his father, a WWII veteran, at Memory Lane in Schererville.
William was recorded saying, "There is no greater honor than to die for my country and the people I love."
NAVY CROSS
PURPLE HEART with 2 GOLD STARS
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL
VIETNAM MILITARY MERIT MEDAL
VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS w/PALM
LCpl. U.S. Marine Corps, {MC2381048}, Vietnam War-LCpl. Trent was killed in action during Operation Houston II near the Hat Van Bridge on 5-8-1968 while serving as a {0311] Rifleman with Co. M of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in which he was a recipient of the Navy Cross. LCpl. Trent started his tour in Vietnam on December 17, 1967.
He is the son of Mr. John L. & Mrs. Myrtle Trent now of 2951 Northwest 71st Street, Miami, Florida, 33147,and he attended East Peoria H.S., and graduated from Lake Central H.S., St. John, Indiana, and worked for Caterpillar for a short time before he went into the Marines on July 17, 1967. He does leave one sister, Miss Dean Trent of Miami, Florida.
Awards: Navy Cross, Purple Heart with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with One Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
Corporal William D. Trent, Navy Cross Citation
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On 9 May 1968, when Company M encountered a large North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Nam Province, Corporal Trent's platoon, serving as the forward element, came under heavy enemy automatic weapons and small-arms fire. Reacting instantly, he skillfully maneuvered his machine gun teams toward the enemy positions, despite the continuing hostile fire. When both the gunner and assistant gunner of one of the teams became casualties, Corporal Trent, undaunted by the enemy fire erupting around him, manned the machine gun and continued to advance against the enemy.
Disregarding his own safety, he delivered effective fire into a fortified position, silencing the automatic weapon. Shifting his fire to another target of opportunity, he quickly annihilated a second enemy position. He then observed two North Vietnamese soldiers moving to occupy the first gun position. Instantly, he seized his machine gun and a belt of ammunition and courageously advanced against the enemy occupied position, firing his weapon as he maneuvered forward.
Moving to within a few feet of the pinned down enemy, he killed both hostile soldiers. Quickly emplacing his machine gun in the fortified position, he began firing into the enemy's flank. Although mortally wounded by an enemy hand grenade, he remained at his exposed position until elements of his platoon were able to maneuver forward. By his bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Trent inspired all who observed him."
Corporal William D. Trent October 24, 1948 – May 8, 1968
William was born in Columbus, Georgia to John & Myrtle Trent. Shortly after William's birth, the Trent family moved to Dyer. William graduated from Dyer Central High School in 1966. After high school, he worked at the Caterpillar Tractor Company. On July 8, 1967, William enlisted in the U.S. Marines. After completing his training at Camp Pendleton, California he was sent to Vietnam. William received the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism for his selfless actions on May 8, 1968. William saved the lives of many of his fellow Marines despite being mortally wounded. He is buried next to his father, a WWII veteran, at Memory Lane in Schererville.
William was recorded saying, "There is no greater honor than to die for my country and the people I love."
NAVY CROSS
PURPLE HEART with 2 GOLD STARS
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL
VIETNAM MILITARY MERIT MEDAL
VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS w/PALM
LCpl. U.S. Marine Corps, {MC2381048}, Vietnam War-LCpl. Trent was killed in action during Operation Houston II near the Hat Van Bridge on 5-8-1968 while serving as a {0311] Rifleman with Co. M of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in which he was a recipient of the Navy Cross. LCpl. Trent started his tour in Vietnam on December 17, 1967.
He is the son of Mr. John L. & Mrs. Myrtle Trent now of 2951 Northwest 71st Street, Miami, Florida, 33147,and he attended East Peoria H.S., and graduated from Lake Central H.S., St. John, Indiana, and worked for Caterpillar for a short time before he went into the Marines on July 17, 1967. He does leave one sister, Miss Dean Trent of Miami, Florida.
Awards: Navy Cross, Purple Heart with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with One Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
Corporal William D. Trent, Navy Cross Citation
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On 9 May 1968, when Company M encountered a large North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Nam Province, Corporal Trent's platoon, serving as the forward element, came under heavy enemy automatic weapons and small-arms fire. Reacting instantly, he skillfully maneuvered his machine gun teams toward the enemy positions, despite the continuing hostile fire. When both the gunner and assistant gunner of one of the teams became casualties, Corporal Trent, undaunted by the enemy fire erupting around him, manned the machine gun and continued to advance against the enemy.
Disregarding his own safety, he delivered effective fire into a fortified position, silencing the automatic weapon. Shifting his fire to another target of opportunity, he quickly annihilated a second enemy position. He then observed two North Vietnamese soldiers moving to occupy the first gun position. Instantly, he seized his machine gun and a belt of ammunition and courageously advanced against the enemy occupied position, firing his weapon as he maneuvered forward.
Moving to within a few feet of the pinned down enemy, he killed both hostile soldiers. Quickly emplacing his machine gun in the fortified position, he began firing into the enemy's flank. Although mortally wounded by an enemy hand grenade, he remained at his exposed position until elements of his platoon were able to maneuver forward. By his bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Trent inspired all who observed him."
William was born in Columbus, Georgia to John & Myrtle Trent. Shortly after William's birth, the Trent family moved to Dyer. William graduated from Dyer Central High School in 1966. After high school, he worked at the Caterpillar Tractor Company. On July 8, 1967, William enlisted in the U.S. Marines. After completing his training at Camp Pendleton, California he was sent to Vietnam. William received the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism for his selfless actions on May 8, 1968. William saved the lives of many of his fellow Marines despite being mortally wounded. He is buried next to his father, a WWII veteran, at Memory Lane in Schererville.
William was recorded saying, "There is no greater honor than to die for my country and the people I love."
NAVY CROSS
PURPLE HEART with 2 GOLD STARS
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL
VIETNAM MILITARY MERIT MEDAL
VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS w/PALM
LCpl. U.S. Marine Corps, {MC2381048}, Vietnam War-LCpl. Trent was killed in action during Operation Houston II near the Hat Van Bridge on 5-8-1968 while serving as a {0311] Rifleman with Co. M of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in which he was a recipient of the Navy Cross. LCpl. Trent started his tour in Vietnam on December 17, 1967.
He is the son of Mr. John L. & Mrs. Myrtle Trent now of 2951 Northwest 71st Street, Miami, Florida, 33147,and he attended East Peoria H.S., and graduated from Lake Central H.S., St. John, Indiana, and worked for Caterpillar for a short time before he went into the Marines on July 17, 1967. He does leave one sister, Miss Dean Trent of Miami, Florida.
Awards: Navy Cross, Purple Heart with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with One Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
Corporal William D. Trent, Navy Cross Citation
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On 9 May 1968, when Company M encountered a large North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Nam Province, Corporal Trent's platoon, serving as the forward element, came under heavy enemy automatic weapons and small-arms fire. Reacting instantly, he skillfully maneuvered his machine gun teams toward the enemy positions, despite the continuing hostile fire. When both the gunner and assistant gunner of one of the teams became casualties, Corporal Trent, undaunted by the enemy fire erupting around him, manned the machine gun and continued to advance against the enemy.
Disregarding his own safety, he delivered effective fire into a fortified position, silencing the automatic weapon. Shifting his fire to another target of opportunity, he quickly annihilated a second enemy position. He then observed two North Vietnamese soldiers moving to occupy the first gun position. Instantly, he seized his machine gun and a belt of ammunition and courageously advanced against the enemy occupied position, firing his weapon as he maneuvered forward.
Moving to within a few feet of the pinned down enemy, he killed both hostile soldiers. Quickly emplacing his machine gun in the fortified position, he began firing into the enemy's flank. Although mortally wounded by an enemy hand grenade, he remained at his exposed position until elements of his platoon were able to maneuver forward. By his bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Trent inspired all who observed him."
