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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Lance Corporal William Raymond Prom, USMC
William R. Prom, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in February 1969, was born 17 November 1948, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He attended Mt. Troy Public School in Pittsburg and Millvale High School in Millvale, Pennsylvania.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at Pittsburg on 8 December 1967, and was discharged to enlist in the Regular Marine Corps, 27 December 1967.
Upon completion of recruit training with the 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, he was promoted to private first class, 1 March 1968. Transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he underwent individual combat training with the 2d Infantry Training Regiment, and weapons special training with the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment, completing the latter in April 1968.
In June 1968, he arrived in the Republic of Vietnam, where he served consecutively as ammunition man, assistant gunner, machine gun team leader, and machine gun squad leader, with Company I, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division. He was promoted to lance corporal, 1 September 1968. While participating in Operation Taylor Common during a reconnaissance in force operation southwest of An Hoa 9 February 1969, he was killed in action.
A complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Lance Corporal Prom was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Prom of Pittsburg, one brother, and one sister.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company 1, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Near An Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. 9 February 1969. Entered service at: Pittsburgh, Pa. Born: 17 November 1948, Pittsburgh, Pa. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machinegun squad leader with Company 1, in action against the enemy. While returning from a reconnaissance operation during Operation TAYLOR COMMON, 2 platoons of Company 1 came under an intense automatic weapons fire and grenade attack from a well concealed North Vietnamese Army force in fortified positions. The leading. element of the platoon was isolated and several marines were wounded. L/Cpl. Prom immediately assumed control of 1 of his machineguns and began to deliver return fire. Disregarding his safety he advanced to a position from which he could more effectively deliver covering fire while first aid was administered to the wounded men. Realizing that the enemy would have to be destroyed before the injured marines could be evacuated, L/Cpl. Prom again moved forward and delivered a heavy volume of fire with such accuracy that he was instrumental in routing the enemy, thus permitting his men to regroup and resume their march. Shortly thereafter, the platoon again came under heavy fire in which 1 man was critically wounded. Reacting instantly, L/Cpl. Prom moved forward to protect his injured comrade. Unable to continue his fire because of his severe wounds, he continued to advance to within a few yards to the enemy positions. There, standing in full view of the enemy, he accurately directed the fire of his support elements until he was mortally wounded. Inspired by his heroic actions, the marines launched an assault that destroyed the enemy. L/Cpl. Prom'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.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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