#OTD in 1967, 2nd Lt. John Bobo, 24, earned the Medal of Honor for his actions while serving as a weapons platoon commander with 3rd Marine Division in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
While establishing night ambush sites, his company was attacked by North Vietnamese soldiers with heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire.
Outnumbered, Bobo organized his Marines into a hasty defense and moved from position to position, encouraging his Marines.
When Bobo’s right leg was severed below the knee by enemy mortar round, he refused to be evacuated. Instead, he insisted on being propped up in a firing position so he could cover the rest of the Marines as they maneuvered to safety.
With a web belt for a tourniquet around his severed leg, Bobo was eventually struck and killed, but his courage and leadership enabled the Marines to maneuver and repel the enemy assault.
Bobo’s body was returned home and buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in New York.
On Aug. 27, 1968, his parents accepted the Medal of Honor on his behalf.
Ultimate leadership in action.
Brings tears to my eyes to read this and reflect on what a proud tradition I am but a very small part of.
Thank you John Lawrence, I couldn’t have said it better. I was there Hill37 in 71, and Danang airfield in 72
God bless you Lt John Bobo, your now guarding the pearly gates after serving your time in hell!
OORAH! 2nd Lt. John Bobo and may he rest in peace. “…and when he got to heaven, to St. Peter he did tell, ‘Another Marine reporting, Sir, I’ve spent my time in hell!” – Unknown
Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
P.S. – I wonder if either of those young lads developed COPD or lung cancer?!??
I think that was the last of their worries in 1967
Semper Fi Lt. John Bobo! And rest in peace, you certainly earned it.
I was first told of Lt Bobo in 1974, at The Basic School. His story will be told as long as there are Marines.
Found it was March 67, 2nd Plt. I Co, 3/9 . They named a Ship after him.
Thank you Lt. you stood and you never fell.
SFMF!
I had a junior DI in 1969, a corporal Bobo, just wondering if they were related.
I went to the same high school as Lt. Bobo, and our school’s football field was called “Bobo Field”. It was Bishop Duffy / Niagara Catholic HS. He also attended Niagara University, where I worked for a few years, and his picture is proudly displayed in Bisgrove Hall on the wall of fame.
Proud of this Western New York hero. Semper Fi.
To my brother Marines
We are bless to have people that would put them self in harms way to protect his brother
Braverie is controlled Fear It’s not the medal but the commitment
There are Marines in the Ukraine fighting , all retired like me, we will see this to
the end .