Joe C. Paul

Born: April 4, 1946
Died: August 19, 1965 (age 19)

Lance Corporal Joe Calvin Paul was a 19 year old U.S. Marine who lost his life after diverting an attack long enough to allow the evacuation of wounded Marines during Operation Starlite near Chu Lai, Vietnam, on August 18, 1965. LCpl Paul was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on February 7, 1967 — in ceremonies in the Office of Secretary of the Navy Paul H. Nitze, who presented the award to his parents.

What do you know about Lance Corporal Joe C. Paul? Take this Vietnam War History Made Easy Trivia quiz.

1. Where was Joe Paul born?

• Williamsburg, Kentucky
• Williamsburg, Pennsylvania
• Williamsburg, Virginia

2. He attended high school for one year before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on April 26, 1963 in Dayton, OH, shortly after his seventeenth birthday.

• True or False?

3. In August 1963, after completing recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, where he underwent individual combat training with the Second Infantry Training Regiment, graduating in October 1963.

• True or False?

4. He then joined Company H, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade, in Hawaii where he was promoted to private first class in December 1963. When did he make lance corporal?

• October 1964
• December 1964
• February 1965

5. With that unit, he sailed for the Far East, arriving in Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam on where this unit was redesignated Company H, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. When did they arrive in Vietnam?

• April 7, 1965
• May 7, 1965
• June 7, 1965

6. In violent battle, Corporal Paul's platoon sustained five casualties as it was temporarily pinned down by devastating mortar, recoilless rifle, automatic weapons, and rifle fire delivered by insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in well-entrenched positions. The wounded Marines were unable to move from their perilously exposed positions forward of the remainder of their platoon, and were suddenly subjected to a barrage of white phosphorus rifle grenades.

• True or False?

7. Corporal Paul, fully aware that his tactics would almost certainly result in serious injury or death to himself, chose to disregard his own safety and boldly dashed across the fire-swept rice paddies, placed himself between his wounded comrades and the enemy, and delivered effective suppressive fire with his automatic weapon in order to divert the attack long enough to allow the casualties to be evacuated.

• True or False?

8. Although not critically wounded during the course of the battle, he resolutely remained in his exposed position and continued to fire his rifle until he collapsed and was evacuated. By his fortitude and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, he saved the lives of several of his fellow Marines.

• True or False?

9. The United States Navy Knox class destroyer escort, the USS Paul (FF-1080) (ex-DE 1080) was named for LCpl Paul. The USS Paul was decommissioned in August 1992. When was the ship christened and launched?

• June 20, 1970
• July 20, 1971
• June 20, 1972

10. Lance Corporal Joe Calvin Paul has his name inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall"). What is the location of his name?

• Panel 02E Line 063
• Panel 12E Line 163
• Panel 22E Line 263

Where is Joe C. Paul buried?

Joe C. Paul Answers

1. Williamsburg, Kentucky

2. True

3. False. He did his recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California.

4. October 1964

5. May 7, 1965

6. True

7. True

8. False. He was critically wounded.

9. June 20, 1970

10. Panel 02E Line 063