Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant John Earl Warren Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on January 14, 1969 in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Warren was 22 years old.
Warren was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on August 6, 1970 — the White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family.
Warren was born on November 16, 1946 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. He is buried at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York. His medal is held by National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
Warren is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor 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 six 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 three men from serious or mortal injury. 1st 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (January 14, 1969).
- Age at death: 22
- Resting place: Long Island National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, John Earl Warren Jr. 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 New York →
Timeline
- November 16, 1946Born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
- January 14, 1969Act of valor — Tay Ninh Province, Republic of VietnamAge 22. Company C, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division Killed in action.
- August 6, 1970Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family
- Resting placeLong Island National CemeteryFarmingdale, New York
Biography
John Earl Warren Jr. (November 16, 1946 – January 14, 1969) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in the Vietnam War.
From the Wikipedia article “John E. Warren Jr.”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
