Massillonian Private First Class Lamont Douglas Hill (1946-1967) served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War in the Weapons Platoon, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. In March 1967, the Third Platoon to which he was attached was sweeping near the village of Tan Lich in Quang Tri Province. They were hit with heavy automatic weapons fire.
According to his Navy Cross citation, “In the initial burst of enemy fire, he was fatally wounded. However, realizing the gravity of the situation, Private First Class Hill, disregarding his own serious and painful wound, manned his machine gun and brought deadly, well-aimed fire to bear on the enemy. Refusing medical treatment, except when he stopped to reload his weapon, he provided covering fire so that his wounded comrades could be moved to defiladed positions of relative safety.
“Then he immediately shifted his weapon and began to provide a base of fire on the entrenched enemy which enabled two squads of the platoon to make a most successful assault, killing twenty of the enemy. Private First Class Hill, succumbing to his wounds, fell unconscious upon his machine gun.”
“Private First Class Hill's courageous actions, aggressive fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
Pfc Hill received the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross for his actions.
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