TFH 1/14: First Lieutenant John E. Warren, USAR

The motto of the United States Army's 22nd Infantry Regiment is "Deeds, not Words". On January 14, 1969, a 22-year old First Lieutenant platoon leader with the regiment's 2nd Battalion, a component of the 25th Infantry Division, embodied the regiment's motto literally when he saved the lives of three of his subordinates by smothering the blast of a grenade. John Earl Warren, Jr. hailed from Brooklyn, New York, held a US Army Reserve commission, and was posthumously decorated with the Medal of Honor for his act of supreme and unselfish courage.

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


*WARREN, JOHN E., JR.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company C, 2d Battalion, (Mechanized), 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 14 January 1969. Entered service at: New York, N.Y . Born: 16 November 1946, Brooklyn, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Warren, distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a platoon leader with Company C. While moving through a rubber plantation to reinforce another friendly unit, Company C came under intense fire from a well-fortified enemy force. Disregarding his safety, 1st Lt. Warren with several of his men began maneuvering through the hail of enemy fire toward the hostile positions. When he had come to within 6 feet of one of the enemy bunkers and was preparing to toss a hand grenade into it, an enemy grenade was suddenly thrown into the middle of his small group. Thinking only of his men, 1st Lt. Warren fell in the direction of the grenade, thus shielding those around him from the blast. His action, performed at the cost of his life, saved 3 men from serious or mortal injury. First Lt. Warren's ultimate action of sacrifice to save the lives of his men was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Lieutenant Warren's remains rest in peace at the Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York. His name appears on Panel 34W, Line 3 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry is no longer part of the 25th Infantry Division; the battalion is currently assigned to the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York.