TFH 5/14: PFC James W. Fous, USA

James William Fous was born on October 14, 1946 in Omaha, Nebraska. He joined the United States Army in 1967 and was an infantryman with the 4th Battalion of the 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division fighting in Vietnam during 1968.

On this day of that year, Private First Class Fous was holding a nighttime defensive perimeter position with three of his comrades when a Viet Cong soldier hurled a grenade towards the four Americans. He sacrificed his own life to save that of his fellow soldiers, and was posthumously decorated with the Medal of Honor.



From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (A-L):

*FOUS, JAMES W.


Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam, 14 May 1968. Entered service at: Omaha, Nebr. Born: 14 October 1946, Omaha, Nebr. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Fous distinguished himself at the risk of his life while serving as a rifleman with Company E. Pfc. Fous was participating in a reconnaissance-in-force mission when his unit formed its perimeter defense for the night. Pfc. Fous, together with 3 other American soldiers, occupied a position in a thickly vegetated area facing a woodline. Pfc. Fous detected 3 Viet Cong maneuvering toward his position and, after alerting the other men, directed accurate fire upon the enemy soldiers, silencing 2 of them. The third Viet Cong soldier managed to escape in the thick vegetation after throwing a hand grenade into Pfc. Fous' position. Without hesitation, Pfc. Fous shouted a warning to his comrades and leaped upon the lethal explosive, absorbing the blast with his body to save the lives of the 3 men in the area at the sacrifice of his life. Pfc. Fous' extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

James Fous rests in peace at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. His name is inscribed with honor on Panel 60E, Line 11 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

4th Battalion, 47th Infantry and the 9th Infantry Division are currently inactive.