CPL WILLIAM THOMAS PERKINS Jr CPL WILLIAM THOMAS PERKINS Jr CPL WILLIAM THOMAS PERKINS Jr CPL WILLIAM THOMAS PERKINS Jr CPL WILLIAM THOMAS PERKINS Jr CPL WILLIAM THOMAS PERKINS Jr

 

"All the photos I send are to honor my fellow Marines....my brothers." -- Walter Dampier, 10/30/2012

CPL William T. Perkins, Jr., who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in 1967, was born in Rochester, New York. While in elementary school he moved with his family to California and graduated from James Monroe High School, Sepulveda, California, in 1965. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1966 and went on active duty on 6 July 1966. Upon completion of recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, he was promoted to private first class in September 1966. He was reassigned to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, where he underwent individual combat training. After completion of training and until January 1967, he served as a photographer with Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow, California. He was promoted to Lance Corporal 1 January 1967. For the next four months, LCpl Perkins was a student in the Motion Picture Photography course, at the U.S. Army Signal Center and School, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. In July 1967, LCpl Perkins served as a photographer with Service Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division and was reassigned to the Republic of Vietnam. He was promoted to Corporal 1 August 1967. While serving as a combat photographer with Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division during Operation Medina, he was killed in action on 12 October 1967. In addition to the medals shown above, Corporal Perkins was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm (Unit).

The Medal of Honor citation for Corporal Perkins reads: The President of the United States in the name of the Congress of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to CORPORAL WILLIAM T. PERKINS JR. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a combat photographer attached to Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 October 1967. During Operation MEDINA, a major reconnaissance in force, southwest of Quang Tri, Company C made heavy combat contact with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army Force estimated at from two to three companies. The focal point of the intense fighting was a helicopter landing zone which was also serving as the Command Post of Company C. In the course of a strong hostile attack,an enemy grenade landed in the immediate area occupied by Corporal Perkins and three other Marines. Realizing the inherent danger, he shouted the warning, "Incoming Grenade" to his fellow Marines, and in a valiant act of heroism, hurled himself upon the grenade absorbing the impact of the explosion with his own body thereby saving the lives of his comrades at the cost of his own. Through his exceptional courage and inspiring valor in the face of certain death, Corporal Perkins reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. RICHARD M. NIXON President of the United States -- The Virtual Wall

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