The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*MONROE, JAMES H.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st
Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and Date: Bong Son, Hoai Nhon Province,
Republic of Vietnam, 16 February 1967. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born:
17 October 1944, Aurora, Ill.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. His platoon was deployed in a night ambush when the position was
suddenly subjected to an intense and accurate grenade attack, and 1 foxhole was hit
immediately. Responding without hesitation to the calls for help from the wounded men Pfc.
Monroe moved forward through heavy small-arms fire to the foxhole but found that all of
the men had expired. He turned immediately and crawled back through the deadly hail of
fire toward other calls for aid. He moved to the platoon sergeant's position where he
found the radio operator bleeding profusely from fragmentation and bullet wounds. Ignoring
the continuing enemy attack, Pfc. Monroe began treating the wounded man when he saw a live
grenade fall directly in front of the position. He shouted a warning to all those nearby,
pushed the wounded radio operator and the platoon sergeant to one side, and lunged forward
to smother the grenade's blast with his body. Through his valorous actions, performed in a
flash of inspired selflessness, Pfc. Monroe saved the lives of 2 of his comrades and
prevented the probable injury of several others. His gallantry and intrepidity were in the
highest traditions of the U.S. Army, and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed
Forces of his country.
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