Remembering Walter J. Marm, Jr., a retired US Army Officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War.

On 14 November 1965, he was a platoon leader of 2nd Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). On that day, during the Battle of La Drang, 1st Lt. Marm demonstrated indomitable courage during a combat operation, his company was moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded by an enemy force of estimated regimental size.

1st Lt. Marm led his platoon through withering fire until they were finally forced to take cover. Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long, and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his position, he moved quickly under heavy fire and annihilated all four. Then, seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire from a concealed machine gun, he deliberately exposed himself to draw its fire.

Thus locating its position, he attempted to destroy it with an antitank weapon. Although he inflicted casualties, the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly, disregarding the intense fire directed at him and his platoon, he charged 30 meters across open ground, and hurled grenades into the enemy position, killing some of the 8 insurgents manning it. Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended, armed with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the position and killed the remainder of the enemy.

1st Lt. Marm’s selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of their mission.
He survived his wounds and was subsequently promoted to First Lieutenant; on December 19, 1966, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He reached the rank of Colonel before retiring from the Army in 1995.
We are grateful for the excellent service he made to the country! 🇺🇸