LANCE CORPORAL
THOMAS P. NOONAN, JR., USMC (DECEASED) 

 

Medal of Honor Citation

Thomas P. Noonan, Jr., who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during February 1969 in Vietnam, was born 18 November 1943, in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, New York, in June 1961. He attended Hunter College in the Bronx, New York, graduating with a B.A. Degree in Physical Education in June 1966.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in Brooklyn, New York, 26 December 1967 and was subsequently discharged to enlist in the Regular Marine Corps on 31 January 1968.

Private Noonan completed recruit training with the 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, in April 1968, and was promoted to private first class, 1 April 1968.

Transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he underwent individual combat training with the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment.

Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in July 1968, he was assigned duty as mortar man with H&S Company, 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF. In August, he was reassigned to the 3d Marine Division where he saw combat as a rifleman, M-79 Man with Company G, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines. He was promoted to lance corporal, 1 January 1969. He was killed in action on 5 February 1969, while participating in action against the enemy south of Vandegrift Combat Base in Quang Tri Province.

A complete list of his medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Vietnam War 1965-1973 Medal of Honor