Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Private First Class Daniel Dean Bruce was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on March 1, 1969 at Fire Support Base Tomahawk, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Headquarters & Service Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF. Bruce was 18 years old.
Bruce was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on February 16, 1971 — the White House (East Ballroom), presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family.
Bruce was born on May 18, 1950 in Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City, Indiana. His medal is held by Disabled American Veterans Post 23, Michigan City, IN.
Bruce is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a mortar man with Headquarters and Service Company 3d Battalion, against the enemy. Early in the morning Pfc. Bruce was on watch in his night defensive position at Fire Support Base Tomahawk when he heard movements ahead of him. An enemy explosive charge was thrown toward his position and he reacted instantly, catching the device and shouting to alert his companions. Realizing the danger to the adjacent position with its two occupants, Pfc. Bruce held the device to his body and attempted to carry it from the vicinity of the entrenched marines. As he moved away, the charge detonated and he absorbed the full force of the explosion. Pfc. Bruce's indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty saved the lives of three of his fellow marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (March 1, 1969).
- Age at death: 18
- Resting place: Greenwood Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Daniel Dean Bruce received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →
Timeline
- May 18, 1950Born in Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana
- March 1, 1969Act of valor — Fire Support Base Tomahawk, Quang Nam Province, Republic of VietnamAge 18. Headquarters & Service Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF Killed in action.
- February 16, 1971Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe White House (East Ballroom), presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family
- Resting placeGreenwood CemeteryMichigan City, Indiana
Biography
Daniel Dean Bruce (May 18, 1950 – March 1, 1969) was a United States marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam. Bruce joined the Marines in 1968, and was deployed to Vietnam in January 1969. Two months later, on March 1, 1969, Bruce was on night watch at Firebase Tomahawk in Quang Ngai Province when an enemy explosive charge was thrown at his position. The private first class caught it, held it close to his body, and ran from his position, where the grenade exploded and killed Bruce. This action saved the lives of three other marines.
From the Wikipedia article “Daniel D. Bruce”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Pfc. Daniel D. Brucedefense.gov · 2021
