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Specialist Fourth Class · U.S. Army

Thomas Joseph McMahon

Specialist Fourth Class Thomas Joseph McMahon, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on March 19, 1969 in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Specialist Fourth Class Thomas Joseph McMahon, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on March 19, 1969 in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. McMahon was 20 years old.

McMahon was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member 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.

McMahon was born on June 24, 1948 in Washington, District of Columbia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. He is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Lewiston, Maine.

McMahon is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 66 credited to Maine.

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. McMahon distinguished himself while serving as medical aidman with Company A. When the lead elements of his company came under heavy fire from well-fortified enemy positions, three soldiers fell seriously wounded. Sp4c. McMahon, with complete disregard for his safety, left his covered position and ran through intense enemy fire to the side of one of the wounded, administered first aid, and then carried him to safety. He returned through the hail of fire to the side of a second wounded man. Although painfully wounded by an exploding mortar round while returning the wounded man to a secure position, Sp4c. McMahon refused medical attention and heroically ran back through the heavy enemy fire toward his remaining wounded comrade. He fell mortally wounded before he could rescue the last man. Sp4c. McMahon's undaunted concern for the welfare of his comrades at the cost of his life are 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

What the citation records about his wounds:

Although painfully wounded by an exploding mortar round while returning the wounded man to a secure position, Sp4c.
He fell mortally wounded before he could rescue the last man.
  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (March 19, 1969).
  • Age at death: 20
  • Resting place: Mount Hope Cemetery

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Thomas Joseph McMahon received:

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Vietnam War.

Life beyond the battlefield

  • Occupations: combat medic

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Washington, D.C. — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Maine →

Timeline

  1. June 24, 1948
    Born in Washington, District of Columbia
  2. March 19, 1969
    Act of valor — Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam
    Age 20. Company A, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal 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 Hope Cemetery
    Lewiston, Maine

Biography

Thomas Joseph McMahon (June 24, 1948 – March 19, 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 “Thomas J. McMahon”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on March 19, 1969

More Vietnam War recipients from Maine

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.