Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Vietnam War - U.S. Marine Corps
Lester William Weber
Details
- Rank: Lance Corporal
- Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
- Unit/Command:
2d Platoon, Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines,
1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF - Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
- Medal of Honor Action Date: February 23, 1969
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Bo Ban area, Hieu Duc District, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine-gun squad leader with Company M, in action against the enemy. The 2d Platoon of Company M was dispatched to the Bo Ban area of Hieu Duc district to assist a squad from another platoon which had become heavily engaged with a well-entrenched enemy battalion. While moving through a rice paddy covered with tall grass L/Cpl. Weber's platoon came under heavy attack from concealed hostile soldiers. He reacted by plunging into the tall grass, successfully attacking one enemy, and forcing 11 others to break contact. Upon encountering a second North Vietnamese Army soldier he overwhelmed him in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Observing two other soldiers firing upon his comrades from behind a dike, L/Cpl. Weber ignored the frenzied firing of the enemy and, racing across the hazardous area, dived into their position. He neutralized the position by wrestling weapons from the hands of the two soldiers and overcoming them. Although by now the target for concentrated fire from hostile riflemen, L/Cpl. Weber remained in a dangerously exposed position to shout words of encouragement to his emboldened companions. As he moved forward to attack a fifth enemy soldier, he was mortally wounded. L/Cpl. Weber's indomitable courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
- Awarded Posthumously: Yes
- Presentation Date & Details: February 16, 1971
The White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family - Born: July 30, 1948, Aurora, Du Page County, IL, United States
- Died: February 23, 1969, Republic of Vietnam
- Buried: Clarendon Hills Cemetery (MH) (I-J-22C-3) , Westmont, IL, United States