Army Private First Class David Paul Nash was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War, where he sacrificed his life to save fellow soldiers. Nash had been in the Army for about eight months when his actions in December 1968 led to the nation’s highest military honor. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Nash, known as Paulie by those close to him, was born in Whitesville, Kentucky, in 1947. Before entering military service, he helped support his family through work and was active in his community. He was assigned as a grenadier to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
On Dec. 29, 1968, during an ambush patrol in the Mekong Delta, Nash returned enemy fire under heavy attack and helped direct artillery fire. Later that night, when an enemy grenade landed near his position, he warned his comrades and shielded them with his body, absorbing the explosion and sacrificing his life to protect three fellow soldiers. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Conflict: Vietnam War
Action Date: December 29, 1968
0 Comments