30MAR1967: Serving as a platoon leader with I Co. 3/9 Marines, 2ndLt John Bobo and his men were on a routine patrol near the North Vietnam border when they set in for the night on Hill 70. As the platoons moved out from the main company element, a larger enemy force watched and prepared their attack. Soon, the NVA soldiers attacked the now dispersed Marine force. Using the tall elephant grass as cover, they were able to get within close range as their mortars and machine guns kept the US forces pinned down. Recognizing the immediate risk to his men, Bobo began moving around the lines, setting in a hasty defense and leading his men in pushing back the enemy force. As he was moving among his men, an enemy mortar round landed nearby and severed his leg just below the knee. Refusing to be evacuated, Bobo had the medic tie a tourniquet with a web belt, pushed his stump into the dirt to slow the bleeding and was propped up against a tree. With weapon in hand, he aimed to provide a rear guard action as his men moved back to a more defensible position. Firing point blank into the attackers, Bobo is credited with killing at least five enemy fighters before he was hit once more and killed on the battlefield. His selfless act of covering his men at risk of this own life, allowed his Marines to consolidate and hold on through the rest of the deadly fight. For his brave act, 2ndLt John Bobo would be awarded, posthumously, the Medal of Honor.

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