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Specialist Fourth Class · U.S. Army

Robert David Law

Specialist Fourth Class Robert David Law, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on February 22, 1969 in Tinh Phuoc, Thanh Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Specialist Fourth Class Robert David Law, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on February 22, 1969 in Tinh Phuoc, Thanh Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Company I (Ranger), 75th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Law was 24 years old.

Law was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 6, 1970 — the White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family.

Law was born on September 15, 1944 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Dallas, Collin County, Texas. He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas. His medal is held by National Medal of Honor Museum, Arlington, TX.

Law is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 78 credited to Texas.

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. Sp4c. Law distinguished himself while serving with Company I. While on a long-range reconnaissance patrol in Tinh Phuoc Thanh Province, Sp4c. Law and five comrades made contact with a small enemy patrol. As the opposing elements exchanged intense fire, he maneuvered to a perilously exposed position flanking his comrades and began placing suppressive fire on the hostile troops. Although his team was hindered by a low supply of ammunition and suffered from an unidentified irritating gas in the air, Sp4c. Law's spirited defense and challenging counterassault rallied his fellow soldiers against the well-equipped hostile troops. When an enemy grenade landed in his team's position, Sp4c. Law, instead of diving into the safety of a stream behind him, threw himself on the grenade to save the lives of his comrades. Sp4c. Law's extraordinary courage and profound concern for his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, 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 (February 22, 1969).
  • Age at death: 24
  • Resting place: Mount Olivet Cemetery

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Robert David Law received:

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Vietnam War.

Places

  • Born: Fort Worth — map
  • Died: South Vietnam — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Texas →

Timeline

  1. September 15, 1944
    Born in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
  2. February 22, 1969
    Act of valor — Tinh Phuoc, Thanh Province, Republic of Vietnam
    Age 24. Company I (Ranger), 75th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division Killed in action.
  3. August 6, 1970
    Medal of Honor presented posthumously
    The White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family
  4. Resting place
    Mount Olivet Cemetery
    Fort Worth, Texas

Biography

Robert David Law (September 15, 1944 – February 22, 1969) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

From the Wikipedia article “Robert D. Law”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Further reading

Also honored for actions on February 22, 1969

More Vietnam War recipients from Texas

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.