Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation©

Marine Corps Vietnam-era Tankers and Ontosmen Have Made History. 

Your Historical Foundation is Making it Known.

CORPORAL JOSEPH C. BROWN US MARINE CORPS
For service as set forth in the following:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Joseph C. Brown, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, 3d Tank Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 30 July 1966. Corporal Brown was serving s the driver of one of two tanks assigned to support elements of Company B, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, on outpost duty at Bao Tran on the song Thu Bon River near DaNang. At 0445 on 30 July 1966, while he was standing turret watch on his tank, one Viet Cong opened a vicious assault on the defensive positions, preceded by intense anti-tank, grenade and heavy automatic weapons fire and Corporal Brown immediately engaged the enemy. When another crewman, while boarding the tank, was critically wounded by an enemy anti-tank rocket which partially severed his left arm and inflicted severe abdominal wounds, Corporal Brown unhesitatingly dismounted during the unabating barrage, aided his comrade to a secure position, and applied a tourniquet to the remains of his arm. Displaying a continued disregard for his own personal safety, he re-mounted his vehicle, procured a morphine syrette and again dismounted to aid his fellow Marine by easing the pain of the wound. When a Corpsman reached the site of the wounded Marine, Corporal Brown again braved lethal fire, resumed his battle position, and assisted in repelling the attack which annihilated the majority of the enemy force of twenty communist insurgents. Subsequent investigation disclosed that his comrade's left arm required amputation, and that Corporal Brown's timely and efficient actions undoubtedly prevented the death of that Marine. His marked courage, daring initiative and selfless efforts in behalf of another were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.