MARVIN GLENN SHIELDS MEDAL OF HONOR MEMORIAL GRAVE STONE

RANK AND ORGANIZATION: CONSTRUCTION MECHANIC THIRD CLASS, U.S. NAVY sEABEE TEAM 1104. ALTHOUGH WOUNDED WHEN THE COMPOUND OF DETACHMENT A342, 5TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (AIRBORN), 1ST SPECIAL FORCES, CAME UNDER INTENSE FIRE FROM AN ESTIMATED REINFORCED VIET CONG REGIMENT EMPLOYING MACHINEGUNS, HEAVY WEAPONS AND SMALL ARMS, SHIELDS CONTINUED TO RESUPPLY HIS FELLOW AMERICANS WHO NEEDED AMMUNITION AND TO RETURN THE ENEMY FIRE FOR A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS, AT WHICH TIME THE VIET CONG LAUNCHED A MASSIVE ATTACK AT CLOSE RANGE WITH FLAME-THROWERS, HAND GRENADES AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. WOUNDED A SECOND TIME DURING THIS ATTACK, SHIELDS NEVERTHELESS ASSISTED IN CARRYING A MORE CRITICALLY WOUNDED MAN TO SAFETY, AND THEN RESUMED FIRING AT THE ENEMY FOR 4 MORE HOURS. WHEN THE COMMANDER ASKED FRO A VOLUNTEER TO ACCOMPANY HIM IN AN ATTEMPT TO KNOCK OUT AN ENEMY MACHINEGUN EMPLACEMENT WHICH WAS ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF ALL PERSONNEL IN THE COMPOUND BECAUSE OF THE ACCURACY OF ITS FIRE, SHIELDS UNHESITATINGLY VOLUNTEERED FOR THIS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS MISSION. PROCEEDING TOWARD THEIR OBJECTIVE WITH A 3.5-INCH ROCKET LAUNCHER, THEY SUCCEEDED IN DESTROYING THE ENEMY MACHINGGUN EMPLACEMENT, THUS UNDOUBTEDLY SAVING THE LIVES OF MANY OF THEIR FELLOW SERVICEMEN IN THE COMPOUND. SHIELDS WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED BY HOSTILE INITIATIVE AND GREAT PERSONAL VALOR IN THE FACE OF INTENSE ENEMY FIRE SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF THE U.S. NAVEL SERVICE.