TFH 3/3: Sergeant Lester R. Stone, Jr., USA

Lester Raymond Stone, Jr. was born on June 4, 1947 in Binghamton, NY. He was drafted into the United States Army and sent to fight in Vietnam on December 4, 1968. He was a Sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, part of the 11th Infantry Brigade and the 23rd Infantry "Americal" Division.

On this day in 1969, Stone was a rifle squad leader. His platoon was conducting a patrol when they came under heavy attack. The platoon's vital machine gun and its gunner fell silent. Without the M-60's firepower, the platoon was likely doomed. Lester Stone knew exactly what had to be done.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (M-Z):

*STONE, LESTER R., JR.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, 23d Infantry Division (Americal). Place and date: West of Landing Zone Liz, Republic of Vietnam, 3 March 1969. Entered service at: Syracuse N.Y. Born: 4 June 1947, Binghamton, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Stone, distinguished himself while serving as squad leader of the 1st Platoon. The 1st Platoon was on a combat patrol mission just west of Landing Zone Liz when it came under intense automatic weapons and grenade fire from a well concealed company-size force of North Vietnamese regulars. Observing the platoon machine gunner fall critically wounded, Sgt. Stone remained in the exposed area to provide cover fire for the wounded soldier who was being pulled to safety by another member of the platoon. With enemy fire impacting all around him, Sgt. Stone had a malfunction in the machinegun, preventing him from firing the weapon automatically. Displaying extraordinary courage under the most adverse conditions, Sgt. Stone repaired the weapon and continued to place on the enemy positions effective suppressive fire which enabled the rescue to be completed. In a desperate attempt to overrun his position, an enemy force left its cover and charged Sgt. Stone. Disregarding the danger involved, Sgt. Stone rose to his knees and began placing intense fire on the enemy at pointblank range, killing 6 of the enemy before falling mortally wounded. His actions of unsurpassed valor were a source of inspiration to his entire unit, and he was responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military profession and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army. 

Lester Raymond Stone, Jr. rests in peace in Chenango Valley Cemetery located in his home town of Binghamton. His name can be found on Panel 30W, Line 33 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

The units that Stone served with are inactive today. A special tribute was nonetheless paid to this brave American in 2010. Colonel Douglas Wheelock, an Army officer and also from Binghamton, took Stone's Medal of Honor with him when he took command of the International Space Station in Earth orbit as a tribute to all those who have served.