Vietnam hero awarded the Navy Cross
Ret. Marine 1st Sgt. John Lord honored at ball; four fellow unit members present
By Katy Sword
Today’s Guest Post is brought to us by HMCS(FMF).
Fifty years after Ret. Marine 1st Sgt. John Lord led his unit through an ambush during the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Navy Cross for his efforts.
The Navy Cross is the second highest award a Marine can receive, outranked only by the Medal of Honor.
Lord first received the Bronze Star for his efforts in 1975, seven years after he put himself in the crosshairs of a hidden North Vietnamese Army battalion to rescue his wounded comrades.
On that fateful day, July 28, 1968, Lord’s platoon commander and senior leadership were wounded during an ambush. Lord “unhesitatingly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and skillfully deployed the platoon against the enemy,” according to the award citation.
Lord then located one of the few remaining operational radios and began directing air support until reinforcements could arrive, all while rescuing his injured comrades.
The day after the battle, Ret. Lt. Col. Michael Sweeney began advocating for the Navy Cross on Lord’s behalf for his heroic actions. Forty-three years later, Sweeney’s efforts were realized.
Lord traveled from his home in Mesa, Ariz., to receive the award with family in Vancouver during the Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Saturday. The ceremony itself was a break in tradition, but a break considered by the hundreds in attendance worthwhile to recognize the 2,460th Marine to ever receive the Navy Cross.
“It is one of the greatest honors of my career,” said an emotional Lt. Col. Health Freeman before introducing Lord. “It’s because of the love and faithfulness of those he served with and those he served under … his award was upgraded and that was so rightfully deserved.”
In between a 12 sword salute and the traditional birthday cake presentation, Lord was finally presented with the Navy Cross 43-years in the making.
The article in its entirety may be viewed at The Columbian
Category: Guest Post
Unlike the stolen valor BS from the posers, 1st Sgt Lord’s valor is the real deal…
I don’t know Combat H. When have we ever seen a real Marine without two road guards and someone to count Cadence? We have a retired Marine SGM in the next county and he never leaves home without them.
Why in hell does it take DECADES to honor these people? WTF is wrong in this system?
Good stuff.
Can some of the more versed in stuff like this educate me? He was originally awarded the Bronze Star. Is the original Bronze Start rescinded when upgraded or does he keep BOTH awards?
The lower award is usually rescinded when a higher award is issued in its place…
Appreciate it! I was always curious how that worked.
The new award order usually contains a paragraph rescinding the prior one.
I did a number of somewhat-such orders for folks we awarded an AAM, and a prior award from a prior unit shows up afterwards. I would rescind “so much of order ### …” and change the verbiage to include the proper count/type of oak leaf cluster.
There were also cases where GCMs got yanked when the “bad” paperwork finally was properly distributed.
BZ!
Nicely done!
Well deserved, First Sergeant! I’m ashamed we had to wait 50 years to properly recognize his bravery.
So does the airline make one such as this purchase an extra seat for his big brass ones?
Thank you, First Sergeant Lord for all you gave. God bless and keep you Sir.
I’m humbled by the courage of men and women such as this. Thank you for your service.
Sadly, many probably go un-awarded, or under-awarded because a leader and/or clerk can’t write effectively.
BZ!