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First Name: Walter

Last Name: Marm

Birthplace: Washington, PA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Pittsburgh, PA
Middle Name: Joseph



Date of Birth: 20 November 1941



Rank: Colonel

Years Served: 1965 - 1995
Walter Joseph Marm, Jr.
'Joe'

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Walter Joseph Marm, Jr.
Colonel, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Colonel Walter Joseph "Joe" Marm, Jr. is a retired U.S. Army officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Walter Joseph Marm, Jr. was born on 20 November 1941 in Washington, PA. He joined the Army from Pittsburgh, PA. On 14 November 1965, Marm was serving as a Second Lieutenant in Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). On that day, during the Battle of Ia Drang, he single-handedly attacked an enemy position, suffering severe wounds in the process. Marm survived his wounds and was subsequently promoted to First Lieutenant.

Medal of Honor

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. As a platoon leader in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 1st Lt. Marm demonstrated indomitable courage during a combat operation. His company was moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded by an enemy force of estimated regimental size. 1st Lt. Marm led his platoon through withering fire until they were finally forced to take cover. Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long, and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his position, he moved quickly under heavy fire and annihilated all 4. Then, seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire from a concealed machine gun, he deliberately exposed himself to draw its fire. Thus locating its position, he attempted to destroy it with an antitank weapon. Although he inflicted casualties, the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly, disregarding the intense fire directed on him and his platoon, he charged 30 meters across open ground, and hurled grenades into the enemy position, killing some of the 8 insurgents manning it. Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended, armed with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the position and killed the remainder of the enemy. 1st Lt. Marm's selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of this mission. 1st Lt. Marm's gallantry on the battlefield and his extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

On 19 December 1966, Marm was presented with the Medal of Honor.

Walter Joseph Marm, Jr. reached the rank of Colonel before retiring from the Army in 1995.



Honoree ID: 1019   Created by: MHOH

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