About two months ago I got my annual Christmas card from the Getherall family. Joe, Joey's dad, included the annual family update. Near the bottom was a note that at a Marine Corps Vietnam Reunion someone had asked why Joe had never received a citation "for bravery above and beyond the call" during his two tours in RVN. Somebody remembered the paperwork being processed but somewhere in the chain of command it got lost.
I've known Joe for 11 years. In addition to both being ND fans with the same favorite player, we're both vets. We've discussed Vietnam a number of times over the years. I knew of Joe's two tours, his units, his getting wounded but there was never any mention of heroics until the Christmas Card arrived this year. There was never any mention of recognition denied. Like many vets he kept those details to himself.
Over 40 years later, Joe has finally received recognition for courage on the battlefield. Congresswoman Napolitano has introduced a Bill H.R.974 to authorize and request the President to award Joe the Medal of Honor.
Semper Fi, Joe!
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For Immediate Release Press contact: Jeremy Cogan, 202-225-5256
February 8, 2007 jeremy.cogan@mail.house.gov
Napolitano Introduces Bill to Honor Hacienda Heights Veteran
(Washington D.C.)- Today Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk), introduced H.R. 974, a bill that will authorize and request the President to award the Medal of Honor to Joseph T. Getherall, of Hacienda Heights, California, for acts of valor while serving in the Marine Corps in the Republic of Vietnam on December 22, 1966.
“Sergeant Getherall and his family are my constituents. When they first made me aware of this case, I was eager to help in any way I could,” commented Napolitano.
Joe Getherall was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps who served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was seriously wounded three times during his second tour. He served as a Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Third Marine Division during “Operation Chinook.”
In the early morning hours of December 22, 1966, Company M came under intense small arms and mortar fire from the 802nd Viet Cong Battalion. While moving from one position to another, he was seriously wounded in both legs and arms by an exploding mortar round. However, despite his painful injuries, he steadfastly refused medical evacuation and continued to direct his unit.
During an enemy assault, a Marine went down in the open. Sergeant Getherall realized the gravity of the situation and fearlessly moved across the hazardous open terrain under intense enemy fire and dragged the Marine to cover. During another assault, Sergeant Getherall, with complete disregard for his own life, and under heavy enemy fire, picked up a Viet Cong grenade that had landed near other Marines, and threw it back at the enemy where it exploded a few meters away, wounding Sergeant Getherall for a second time in one of his legs.
His prompt and courageous actions in the face of almost certain death ultimately saved several of his squad members from death or serious injury.
“By his outstanding leadership, resolute determination and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Sergeant Getherall upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He is a great man who performed an amazing feat to defend his country and his squadron, and very much deserves the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions performed over 40 years ago,” concluded Napolitano.
I've known Joe for 11 years. In addition to both being ND fans with the same favorite player, we're both vets. We've discussed Vietnam a number of times over the years. I knew of Joe's two tours, his units, his getting wounded but there was never any mention of heroics until the Christmas Card arrived this year. There was never any mention of recognition denied. Like many vets he kept those details to himself.
Over 40 years later, Joe has finally received recognition for courage on the battlefield. Congresswoman Napolitano has introduced a Bill H.R.974 to authorize and request the President to award Joe the Medal of Honor.
Semper Fi, Joe!
======================================================
For Immediate Release Press contact: Jeremy Cogan, 202-225-5256
February 8, 2007 jeremy.cogan@mail.house.gov
Napolitano Introduces Bill to Honor Hacienda Heights Veteran
(Washington D.C.)- Today Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk), introduced H.R. 974, a bill that will authorize and request the President to award the Medal of Honor to Joseph T. Getherall, of Hacienda Heights, California, for acts of valor while serving in the Marine Corps in the Republic of Vietnam on December 22, 1966.
“Sergeant Getherall and his family are my constituents. When they first made me aware of this case, I was eager to help in any way I could,” commented Napolitano.
Joe Getherall was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps who served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was seriously wounded three times during his second tour. He served as a Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Third Marine Division during “Operation Chinook.”
In the early morning hours of December 22, 1966, Company M came under intense small arms and mortar fire from the 802nd Viet Cong Battalion. While moving from one position to another, he was seriously wounded in both legs and arms by an exploding mortar round. However, despite his painful injuries, he steadfastly refused medical evacuation and continued to direct his unit.
During an enemy assault, a Marine went down in the open. Sergeant Getherall realized the gravity of the situation and fearlessly moved across the hazardous open terrain under intense enemy fire and dragged the Marine to cover. During another assault, Sergeant Getherall, with complete disregard for his own life, and under heavy enemy fire, picked up a Viet Cong grenade that had landed near other Marines, and threw it back at the enemy where it exploded a few meters away, wounding Sergeant Getherall for a second time in one of his legs.
His prompt and courageous actions in the face of almost certain death ultimately saved several of his squad members from death or serious injury.
“By his outstanding leadership, resolute determination and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Sergeant Getherall upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He is a great man who performed an amazing feat to defend his country and his squadron, and very much deserves the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions performed over 40 years ago,” concluded Napolitano.
