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THE SPRINGFIELD 50 PROJECT
www.springfield50.org
On June 15, 1967, the
Secretary of the Navy approved a Bronze Star Medal with Combat
"V" for CPT Ralph E. Hines. The following award
citation was issued on September 6, 1967. What the citation does
not describe is that on January 25, 1967, the Commander of Company I
had been wounded and evacuated. Captain Hines asked for and was
given command of the company. |
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The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the
BRONZE STAR MEDAL with Combat "V" posthumously to
CAPTAIN RALPH E. HINES
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For
meritorious achievement while serving as an Assistant Operations
Officer, Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines in Vietnam from 11
December 1966 to 19 February 1967. With exceptional judgment,
initiative and professional ability, Captain Hines contributed to the
successful landing and initial operations of the battalion in
Vietnam. Upon assuming command of Company I, on 26 January 1967,
he rapidly gained the confidence of his superiors and was an
inspiration to his subordinates by his diligence and repeated
demonstrations of leadership. When a platoon of his company
successfully ambushed an enemy unit, Captain Hines personally moved to
the scene of action and by skillful deployment of additional forces
and aggressive action, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and
captured the enemy commander. He continued to lead his men in an
exemplary manner until 19 February 1967 when he fell, mortally wounded
by an enemy land mine. By his outstanding courage, leadership
and unyielding devotion to duty, Captain Hines served to inspire all
who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps
and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life
for his country.
For the President,
Paul R. Ignatius
Secretary of the Navy
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