Authorization and request for award of Medal of Honor to Joseph T. Getherall, of Hacienda Heights, California, for acts of valor during the Vietnam War

(a)

Authorization

The President is authorized and requested to award the Medal of Honor under section 6241 of title 10, United States Code, to Joseph T. Getherall, of Hacienda Heights, California, for the acts of valor during the Vietnam War described in subsection (b). (b)

Action Described

The acts of valor referred to in subsection (a) are the actions of Joseph T. Getherall in the Republic of Vietnam on December 22, 1966, while serving as a squad leader in Company M of the Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Third Marine Division, during Operation Chinook. Company M was occupying a night defensive position in the area of the Co Bi-Than Tan Corridor, Thua Thien Province, when the Marines came under intense small arms and mortar fire from the 802nd Viet Cong Battalion. Unhesitatingly exposing himself to intense small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire, Sergeant Getherall repeatedly moved across open terrain to effectively direct his squad. Sergeant Getherall was seriously wounded in both legs and arms by an exploding mortar round. Despite his painful injuries, Sergeant Getherall refused medical evacuation and continued to pinpoint enemy targets, direct fire, resupply his men with ammunition, and ensure the integrity of the perimeter defense, which spread across fifty meters of open terrain. With most of the enemy ground assaults throughout the night concentrated in front of his squad’s position, Sergeant Getherall continually exposed himself to enemy fire. He personally killed several of the enemy attackers with his own rifle fire. During one of the enemy assaults, a Marine was wounded in the open, and Sergeant Getherall fearlessly moved across the hazardous open terrain under intense enemy fire and moved the Marine to cover. During another assault, Sergeant Getherall observed a Viet Cong about to throw a grenade and killed him with rifle fire, but not before the enemy soldier threw the grenade, which landed among Sergeant Getherall’s squad. Sergeant Getherall shouted a warning to his men and with complete disregard for his own life and under heavy enemy fire, he was able to get to the grenade and jump on it. He then picked it up and threw it back at the enemy where it exploded a few meters away, wounding Sergeant Getherall for a second time in one of his legs. By his prompt and courageous action in the face of almost certain death, he saved several of his squad members from death or serious injury. During the remainder of the night, he moved among his men, encouraging them and ensuring that there was maximum security and firepower to repulse subsequent attacks. Inspired by his selfless courage and aggressive fighting spirit, his squad members repulsed a number of savage attacks, while inflicting heavy casualties on a determined and numerically superior enemy force. By his outstanding leadership, resolute determination, and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Sergeant Getherall upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps. Six of Sergeant Getherall’s squad members and his commanding officer have submitted sworn affidavits attesting to his heroic actions. The Platoon Commander at the time, Gary Loveridge, recommended Sergeant Getherall for a Silver Star, but his recommendation was lost by the Marine Corps. In a letter dated April 14, 2004, Mr. Loveridge wrote that his original Silver Star recommendation be upgraded to a Navy Cross. This letter was written before Mr. Loveridge was made aware of the fact that Sergeant Getherall jumped on an enemy grenade. In June 2004 at a reunion, two of Sergeant Getherall’s former squad members told Mr. Loveridge for the first time about the action of Sergeant Getherall in jumping on the enemy grenade to save their lives during the battle. This updated information caused Mr. Loveridge to rewrite his Summary of Action and Citation to include this additional action. (c)

Waiver of Time Limitations

The award under subsection (a) may be made without regard to the time limitations specified in section 6248 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Navy or Marine Corps.