Issued by
United States Army, American, founded 1775
Received by
Warren, John Earl Jr., American, 1946 - 1969
Date
August 6 1970
Medium
gold and enamel on brass (alloy) with silk (textile)
Dimensions
H x W x D (Frame): 9 1/2 × 9 1/2 × 2 in. (24.1 × 24.1 × 5.1 cm)
L x W (Ribbon): 21 3/4 × 1 3/16 in. (55.2 × 3 cm)
H x W (Medal): 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
H x W (Service Ribbon): 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm)
H x W (Lapel Button): 1/2 × 1/2 in. (1.3 × 1.3 cm)
Caption
1st Lt. John Earl Warren Jr. served in C Company, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 22nd Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on January 14, 1969, in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. Warren led his platoon on a patrol through a rubber plantation. After coming under heavy enemy fire, he led several of his men toward the fire. An enemy grenade landed in the midst of his team, just as Warren was preparing to throw his own. He fell on the enemy grenade and saved three lives.
Description
The Medal of Honor (.1a) issued for First Lieutenant John E. Warren, Jr. features a gold medal on a blue silk ribbon. The ribbon is long enough to be placed around the neck, 21 3/4 inches. At the center of the ribbon is a blue silk diamond shaped central piece with 13 white stars. The medal is attached between the diamond shaped piece and the bottom ribbon connected with a metal hinge. Below the ribbon, an eagle with wings outstretched sits on top of a gold bar. The eagle has a wreath and arrows in each arm like the Great Seal of the United States. The gold bar has [VALOR] inscribed on top. The medallion is connected with two metal circles to the bar. The medallion consists of a gold five pointed star, each point tipped with trefoils, surrounded by a green laurel wreath. On each ray of the star is a green oak leaf. In the center of the star, a profile of Minerva is surrounded by the words [UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]. In the bottom of the circle is the shield featured on the Great Seal.
The service ribbon (.1b) is a rectangular bar covered in blue silk with five white stars.
The lapel button (.1c) is a six-sided blue silk bowknot rosette with thirteen white stars.
Place depicted
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
medals
Topic
Military
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gloria Warren-Baskin, sister of Lt. John E. Warren, Jr.
Object number
2017.112.1.1abc
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd52a142070-5eeb-4f08-81e9-ddf65b8b4b4e

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page