TFH 11/8: Sp6c Lawrence Joel, USA

The fall of 1965 saw America's entry into combat in Vietnam. Lawrence Joel served in the US Merchant Marine for a year, and then enlisted in the United States Army in 1948. He served our nation during the Korean War, and then was part of one of the first units sent to Vietnam. On this day in 1965, he exemplified the best America has to offer. When his unit was ambushed by a Viet Cong force with 6-to-1 superiority, he ignored his own personal safety and the multiple wounds he suffered to care for the wounded that surrounded him.

From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War:

JOEL, LAWRENCE

Rank and organization: Specialist Sixth Class (then Sp5c), U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 8 November 1965, Entered service at: New York City, N.Y. G.O. No.: 15, 5 April 1967. Born: 22 February 1928, Winston-Salem, N.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp6c. Joel demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill when a numerically superior and well-concealed Viet Cong element launched a vicious attack which wounded or killed nearly every man in the lead squad of the company. After treating the men wounded by the initial burst of gunfire, he bravely moved forward to assist others who were wounded while proceeding to their objective. While moving from man to man, he was struck in the right leg by machine gun fire. Although painfully wounded his desire to aid his fellow soldiers transcended all personal feeling. He bandaged his own wound and self-administered morphine to deaden the pain enabling him to continue his dangerous undertaking. Through this period of time, he constantly shouted words of encouragement to all around him. Then, completely ignoring the warnings of others, and his pain, he continued his search for wounded, exposing himself to hostile fire; and, as bullets dug up the dirt around him, he held plasma bottles high while kneeling completely engrossed in his life saving mission. Then, after being struck a second time and with a bullet lodged in his thigh, he dragged himself over the battlefield and succeeded in treating 13 more men before his medical supplies ran out. Displaying resourcefulness, he saved the life of 1 man by placing a plastic bag over a severe chest wound to congeal the blood. As 1 of the platoons pursued the Viet Cong, an insurgent force in concealed positions opened fire on the platoon and wounded many more soldiers. With a new stock of medical supplies, Sp6c. Joel again shouted words of encouragement as he crawled through an intense hail of gunfire to the wounded men. After the 24 hour battle subsided and the Viet Cong dead numbered 410, snipers continued to harass the company. Throughout the long battle, Sp6c. Joel never lost sight of his mission as a medical aidman and continued to comfort and treat the wounded until his own evacuation was ordered. His meticulous attention to duty saved a large number of lives and his unselfish, daring example under most adverse conditions was an inspiration to all. Sp6c. Joel's profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country. 

When he received his Medal of Honor from President Lyndon Johnson on March 9, 1967, he became the first living African-American recipient of the award since the Spanish-American War in 1898. Joel Lawrence retired from the Army with the rank of Sergeant First Class in 1973. He passed away from diabetes complications in 1984, and rests in Arlington National Cemetery.

His unit, the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, continues to defend liberty today as part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. They are forward-deployed in Vincenza, Italy, and have fought with distinction in both Iraq and Afghanistan.