On June 2, 2009, we were invited to attend
the Medal of Honor Flag Presentation Ceremony to Mr. Joseph G. LaPointe III at the SP4 Joseph G. LaPointe Army Reserve Center
in Dayton, Ohio.
SP4 Joseph G. LaPointe’s
widow, Cindy LaPointe-Dafler, is a member of our organization and we are proud to call her one of our own. It
was an honor to be with her on this special day.
Cindy’s
husband, Joseph Guy LaPointe, Jr. was born July 2, 1948, in Dayton, Ohio.
He joined the Army and on June 2, 1969, was serving as a Specialist Fourth Class in B Troop,
2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
On that date, SP4 LaPointe’s patrol encountered a large enemy force entrenched in well
fortified bunkers; two soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded.
To reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker.
He administered first-aid to one man, shielding the other with his body when he was hit by a burst of fire from the
bunker.
In spite of painful wounds, SP4 LaPointe
continued administering aid until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous efforts,
he moved back into a shielding position to continue administering first-aid when an exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded
all 3 men.
For his heroic efforts, he
was awarded the Medal of Honor.
On June 2, 2009,
we gathered so that Brigadier General Richard W. Thomas could present the Medal of Honor Flag to SP4 LaPointe’s son,
Mr. Joseph G. LaPointe III.
On October 23, 2002,
Public Law 107-248, Section 8143, established the Medal of Honor flag to recognize service members who have distinguished
themselves by gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty. The Medal of Honor Flag commemorates
the sacrifice and blood shed for our freedoms and gives emphasis to the Medal of Honor being the highest award for valor by
an individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Let us never forget the sacrifices that our Heroes have made for our freedom.
