Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Construction Mechanic Third Class Marvin Glen Shields was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on June 10, 1965 in Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Seebee Team 1104, Mobile Construction Battalion 11. Shields was 25 years old.
Shields was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on September 13, 1966 — the White House, presented by Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson to his family.
Shields was born on December 30, 1939 in Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington. His Medal of Honor is credited to Seattle, King County, Washington. He is buried at Gardiner Cemetery in Gardiner, Washington. His medal is held by Seabee Museum, North Kingstown, RI.
Shields is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 40 credited to Washington.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Although wounded when the compound of Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, came under intense fire from an estimated reinforced Viet Cong regiment employing machine guns, heavy weapons, and small arms, Shields continued to resupply his fellow Americans who needed ammunition and to return the enemy fire for a period of approximately three hours, at which time the Viet Cong launched a massive attack at close-range with flamethrowers, hand grenades and small-arms fire. Wounded a second time during this attack, Shields nevertheless assisted in carrying a more critically wounded man to safety, and then resumed firing at the enemy for four more hours. When the commander asked for a volunteer to accompany him in an attempt to knock out an enemy machine-gun emplacement which was endangering the lives of all personnel in the compound because of the accuracy of its fire, Shields unhesitatingly volunteered for this extremely hazardous mission. Proceeding toward their objective with a 3.5-inch rocket launcher, they succeeded in destroying the enemy machine-gun emplacement, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of their fellow servicemen in the compound. Shields was mortally wounded by hostile fire while returning to his defensive position. His heroic initiative and great personal valor in the face of intense enemy fire sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
Although wounded when the compound of Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, came under intense fire from an estimated reinforced Viet Cong regiment employing machine guns, heavy weapons, and small arms, Shields continued to resupply his fellow Americans who needed ammunition and to return the enemy fire for a period of approximately three hours, at which time the Viet Cong launched a massive attack at close-range with flamethrowers, hand grenades and small-arms fire.
Shields was mortally wounded by hostile fire while returning to his defensive position.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (June 10, 1965).
- Age at death: 25
- Resting place: Gardiner Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Marvin Glen Shields received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Port Townsend High School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Washington →
Timeline
- December 30, 1939Born in Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington
- June 10, 1965Act of valor — Dong Xoai, Republic of VietnamAge 25. Seebee Team 1104, Mobile Construction Battalion 11 Killed in action.
- September 13, 1966Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe White House, presented by Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson to his family
- Resting placeGardiner CemeteryGardiner, Washington
Biography
Marvin Glenn Shields (December 30, 1939 – June 10, 1965) was the first and only United States Navy Seabee to be awarded the Medal of Honor. He was also the first sailor to receive the Medal of Honor for “heroism above and beyond the call of duty” in the Vietnam War.
From the Wikipedia article “Marvin Glenn Shields”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- American Legion Post No. 26 — veterans' organization, clubhouse
- USS Marvin Shields — frigate
