Douglas B. Fournet, Medal of Honor

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MEDAL of HONOR
Ribbon

Douglas Bernard Fournet First Lieutenant, Infantry - U. S. Army Company B, 1st Battalion 7th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary
Born	May 7, 1943 Lake Charles, LA
Died	May 4, 1968 A Shau Valley, Vietnam
Cause	Claymore mine
Age	25

Military	First Lieutenant

Education	Lake Charles High School McNeese State University

Spouse	Marilyn Grissett
Children	1 son
Religion
Burial	Kinder-McRill Cemetery Kinder, LA.

Douglas Bernard Fournet

was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon on April 7, 1970. The Medal of Honor is the nations highest award for valor.

Additionally, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

The Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lieutenant Fournet, Infantry, distinguished himself in action while serving as rifle platoon leader of the 2nd Platoon, Company B. While advancing uphill against fortified enemy positions in the A Shau Valley, the platoon encountered intense sniper fire, making movement very difficult. The right flank man suddenly discovered an enemy claymore mine covering the route of advance and shouted a warning to his comrades. Realizing that the enemy would also be alerted, 1st Lieutenant Fournet ordered his men to take cover and ran uphill toward the mine, drawing a sheath knife as he approached it. With complete disregard

for his safety and realizing the imminent danger to members of his command, he used his body as a shield in front of the mine as he attempted to slash the control wires leading from the enemy positions to the mine. As he reached for the wire, the mine was detonated, killing him instantly. Five men nearest the mine were slightly wounded, but 1st Lieutenant Fournet's heroic and unselfish act spared his men of serious injury or death. His gallantry and willing self-sacrifice are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

1st Lt. Douglas Bernard Fournet
B. May 7, 1943 | K. I. A. May 4, 1968 Vietnam

Vietnam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the United States
Army during the War in Vietnam as a First Lieutenant in Company B, 1st Battalion,
7th Cavalry. 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He was awarded the CMOH for his
bravery at A Shau Valley in the Republic of Vietnam on May 4, 1968. His citation
reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Fournet, Infantry, distinguished himself in
action. His Medal was posthumously presented to his family at the White House by
President Richard M. Nixon on April 7, 1970.

This Medal of Honor Memorial Monument was unveiled on 18 February 2013.

His Father - Medal of Honor Recipient Douglas B. Fournet - His Mother

DOUGLAS B. FOURNET
LOUISIANA
1st LT CO B 7 CAV 1 CAV DIV
VIETNAM
MEDAL OF HONOR - BSM - PH
MAY 7 1943 MAY 4 1968

DOUGLAS BERNARD
FOURNET
MAY 7, 1943
May 4, 1968

His Father

HENRY B. FOURNET
LOUISIANA
S SGT 99 AAF BOMB GP
WORLD WAR II
JULY 17, 1917 JAN 19, 1952

His Mother

MARIA LENA
FOURNET
AUG. 2, 1919
DEC. 25, 1981

Favorite Biographies & News

Dedication Ceremony - CBS News

Medal of Honor Citation

Obit - Times Picayune 1968-05-09, pg1 col6

Wikipedia

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