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
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
2017.112.6
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5d4e82c81-b830-4c08-9cf8-c1adce69ca7b

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

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