[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3626]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              JOE T. GETHERALL MEDAL OF HONOR LEGISLATION

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                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 8, 2007

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a bill to 
authorize and request the President of the United States to award the 
Medal of Honor to Joseph T. Getherall, of Hacienda Heights, California, 
for acts of valor while serving his country in the Republic of Vietnam 
on December 22, 1966.
  Joe Getherall was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps who 
served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was seriously wounded three 
times during his second tour. He served as a squad leader with Company 
M, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Third Marine Division during 
``Operation Chinook.'' In the early morning hours of December 22, 1966, 
Company M was occupying a night defensive position in the area of the 
Co Bi-Than Tan Corridor, Thua Thien Province. Suddenly, the Marines 
came under intense small arms and mortar fire from the 802nd Viet Cong 
Battalion. Sergeant Getherall unhesitatingly exposed himself to intense 
small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire in order to repeatedly 
move across open terrain to effectively control his unit. While moving 
from one position to another he was seriously wounded in both legs and 
arms by an exploding mortar round. However, despite his painful 
injuries, he steadfastly refused medical evacuation and continued to 
direct his unit.
  As the battle raged throughout the night, with most of the enemy 
ground assaults concentrated in front of his squad's position through 
50 meters of open terrain, he continually exposed himself to enemy 
small arms fire. With enemy mortars and grenades exploding around him 
he disregarded his own safety in order to pinpoint enemy targets, 
direct fire, resupply his men with ammunition and ensure the integrity 
of the perimeter defense. He personally killed many of the enemy 
attackers with his own rifle fire. During one of the enemy assaults, a 
Marine went down in the open. Sergeant Getherall realized the gravity 
of the situation and fearlessly moved across the hazardous open terrain 
under intense enemy fire and dragged the Marine to cover.
  During another assault, Sergeant Getherall observed a Viet Cong about 
to throw a grenade and Sergeant Getherall killed him with rifle fire. 
The enemy was still able to throw his grenade, which landed among the 
Marines. Sergeant Getherall shouted a warning to his men and with 
complete disregard for his own life, 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 and of the United States Naval 
Service.
  This bill I am introducing today will waive the time limitations that 
require the award to be made within 5 years of the act. This is needed 
because the original award recommendation by Gary Loveridge, the 
platoon commander at the time, was lost by the Marine Corps. 
Additionally, six of Sergeant Getherall's squad members and his 
commanding officer have recently submitted sworn affidavits attesting 
to his heroic actions.
  Madam Speaker, Joe Getherall is a great man who performed an amazing 
feat to defend his country and his squadron. He deserves the Medal of 
Honor for his heroic actions and I urge my colleagues to support this 
bill.

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