John Paul Bobo | |
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![]() John P. Bobo, Medal of Honor recipient | |
Born | Niagara Falls, New York | February 14, 1943
Died | March 30, 1967 near Con Thien, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam | (aged 24)
Buried | Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, New York |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1965–1967 |
Rank | ![]() |
Unit | ![]() |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart Medal (2) Combat Action Ribbon National Order of Vietnam RVN Gallantry Cross Medal |
John Paul Bobo (February 14, 1943 – March 30, 1967) was a United States Marine Corps second lieutenant who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Vietnam War on March 30, 1967.
John Paul Bobo was born on February 14, 1943, in Niagara Falls, New York. He attended Bishop Duffy High School where he is today distinguished as an honored alum. He graduated from Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1965.
Bobo enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on May 28, 1965, in Buffalo while attending Niagara University. He received a B.A. Degree in History in June 1965, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve on December 17, 1965. He completed the Officer Candidate Course, The Basic School, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, in May 1966.
Bobo was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) in June 1966 and was assigned duty as the Second Platoon commander, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. While serving in Company I, 9th Marines, during Operation Prairie III, he was mortally wounded when a large number of NVA soldiers attacked his rifle company's night ambush position (at Hill 70, west of Con Thien) in Quang Tri Province near the Demilitarized Zone in South Vietnam on March 30, 1967. Knowing his wounds would prevent him from making it to safety, Bobo ordered his men to retreat while he stayed behind alone to fight the North Vietnamese aggressors. His actions saved the lives of all of his men. For this, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
He was 24 years old.
He is buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lewiston, New York.
2nd Lieutenant Bobo's military awards include:
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Medal of Honor | Purple Heart Medal w/ one 5/16 inch gold star | |
Combat Action Ribbon | Presidential Unit Citation w/ one bronze service star. 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment cited for the periods 15 Aug 65 – 7 Jan 67 and 1 Mar-15 Sep 67.[1] | National Defense Service Medal |
Vietnam Service Medal w/ two bronze service stars for the Vietnam Counteroffensive (25 Dec 65 – 30 Jun 66) and Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II (1 Jul 66 – 31 May 67) campaigns. | National Order of Vietnam, Knight | RVN Gallantry Cross Medal w/ palm |
RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Emblem with Palm and Frame (in the colors of the Gallantry Cross)[2] | RVN Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation Emblem with Palm and Frame (in the colors of the Civil Actions Medal, First Class)[2] | RVN Campaign Medal w/ 60- device |
Lt. Bobo namings and honors include:
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
for service as set forth in the following CITATION: