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First Name: Robert

Last Name: Law

Birthplace: Fort Worth, TX, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Dallas, TX
Middle Name: David



Date of Birth: 15 September 1944

Date of Death: 22 February 1969

Rank: Specialist 4

Years Served: 1967 - 1969
Robert David Law

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Robert David Law
Specialist Four, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Specialist Four Robert David Law (15 September 1944 - 22 February 1969) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Robert David Law was born on 15 September 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He joined the Army at Dallas, TX, in 1967. On 22 February 1969, he was serving as a Specialist Four in Company F (Ranger)(LRRS), 52nd Infantry Regiment/75th Ranger Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 1st Infantry Division. During a firefight that day in Tinh Phuoc Thanh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Law covered the blast of an enemy grenade with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him. For this heroic action and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4 Law distinguished himself while serving with Company I. While on a long-range reconnaissance patrol in Tinh Phuoc Thanh province, Sp4 Law and 5 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, Sp4 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, Sp4 Law, instead of diving into the safety of a stream behind him, threw himself on the grenade to save the lives of his comrades. Sp4 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.

Law's Medal of Honor was presented to his parents on 6 August 1970, by President Richard Nixon at the White House.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Robert David Law's name is inscribed on Panel 32W - Line 77.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart

Death and Burial

Specialist Four Robert David Law was killed in action on 22 February 1969. He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in his birth city of Fort Worth, TX, at Acacia Lawn, Lot 297.



Honoree ID: 1005   Created by: MHOH

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