July 4

A couple of little known facts about July 4, 1776 are that it is not the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, nor is it the date that we actually declared on independence from the British. The Continental Congress actually declared independence on July 2, 1776, and while they did approve the wording of the actual Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, copies did not actually begin to be signed until August 2, 1776.

But that declaration is ineffective without the willingness of patriots to lay down their lives that we might live free. From time to time, on appropriate days, I try to find a Medal of Honor recipient from somewhere nearby. I neglected to do that this past Memorial Day since I was in the process of moving to East Texas. So, this is the first from East Texas. While this Medal of Honor is credited to Phoenix, AZ, PFC Austin was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, a bare 40 miles from where I’m living now.

It’s patriots like PFC Austin who have watered the tree of liberty with their very blood that made and keep this country great.

VIETNAM WAR MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS (A-L)
AUSTIN, OSCAR P.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, (Rein), FMF.

Place and date: West of Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, 23 February 1969.
Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz.
Born: 15 January 1948, Nacogdoches, Tex.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an assistant machine gunner with Company E, in connection with operations against enemy forces. During the early morning hours Pfc. Austin’s observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges, and small arms fire. Observing that 1 of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Pfc. Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby and, reacting instantly, leaped between the injured marine and the lethal object, absorbing the effects of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the marine, Pfc. Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier, and, in doing, was mortally wounded. Pfc. Austin’s indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.