- Issued by
- United States Army, American, founded 1775
- Received by
- Warren, John Earl Jr., American, 1946 - 1969
- Date
- 1969-1974
- Medium
- bronze, silk (textile) and metal
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 2 13/16 × 1 7/16 × 1/4 in. (7.2 × 3.6 × 0.6 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 National Defense Service medal issued for First Lieutenant John E. Warren, Jr. features a rounded bronze medal. The ribbon is red with a wide yellow stripe in the center with a white, blue, white stripe on either side of the yellow. The ribbon is embedded in the upraised edges of the gold pinback. The pinback has text on the back that reads, [CN-GI]. The medal hangs from its ribbon by a circular metal loop. The front of the medal has an image of a bald eagle, standing on a sword and palm. Above this, in a semicircle, is the inscription [NATIONAL DEFENCE]. The back of the medal has an image of the shield on the United States coat of arms. Underneath is a wreath made up of oak and laurel leaves.
- Place depicted
- United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Awards, Medals, and Insignia
- Type
- medals
- 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
- 2017.112.6
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




