Lester W. Weber

Infobox Military Person
name= Lester William Weber
born= birth date|1948|7|30
died= death date and age|1969|2|23|1948|7|30
placeofbirth= Aurora, Illinois
placeofdeath= KIA in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1966-1969
rank= Lance Corporal
commands=
unit= 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines]
battles= Vietnam War
awards= Medal of Honor Purple Heart
laterwork=

Lester William Weber (1948-1969) was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in February 1969.

Early years

Weber was born on 30 July 1948, in Aurora, Illinois. He graduated from St. Isaac Jogues Grammar School in Hinsdale, Illinois, in 1962, then attended Hinsdale South High School for two years.

Marine Corps service

He left high school to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in Chicago on 30 September 1966. He subsequently enlisted in the Regular Marine Corps on 23 January 1967.

He completed recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California in March 1967. After he transferred to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, he received individual combat training with Company Z, and weapons special training with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment. He was promoted to Private First Class on 1 June 1967.

Vietnam War

He was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in July 1967. PFC Weber was assigned duty as an ammunition carrier and squad leader with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1 November 1967.

In January 1969, he assumed duty as squad leader with the 2nd Platoon, Company M, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. While participating in a search and clear operation in the Bo Ban area of Hieu Duc District in Quang Nam Province, he was killed in action on 23 February 1969.

Lance Corporal Weber had completed a normal tour of duty in Vietnam and had extended for six months.

Awards and decorations

A complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver star in lieu of five bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
LANCE CORPORAL LESTER W. WEBER UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 February 1969, the Second Platoon of Company M was dispatched to the Bo Ban area of Hieu Duc District in Quang Nam Province to assist a squad from another platoon which had become heavily engaged with a well-entrenched enemy battalion. While moving through a rice paddy covered with tall grass, Lance Corporal Weber's platoon came under heavy attack from concealed hostile soldiers. He reacted by plunging into the tall grass, successfully attacking one enemy and forcing eleven others to break contact. Upon encountering a second North Vietnamese Army soldier, he overwhelmed him in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Observing two other soldiers firing upon his comrades from behind a dike, Lance Corporal Weber ignored the frenzied firing of the enemy and, racing across the hazardous area, dived into their position. He neutralized the position by wresting weapons from the hands of the two soldiers and overcoming them. Although by now the target for concentrated fire from hostile riflemen, Lance Corporal Weber remained in a dangerously exposed position to shout words of encouragement to his emboldened companions. As he moved forward to attack a fifth enemy soldier, he was mortally wounded. Lance Corporal Weber's indomitable courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ RICHARD M. NIXON

In memory

Lester W. Weber's name can be found on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 31W, Row 029.

A memorial stone honoring Lester W. Weber was set in the ground near the northwest corner of the St. Isaac Jogues Grammar School near the school's flagpole and dedicated on 25 May 2003.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients

References

:Marine Corps
* [http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Weber_LW.htm Lance Corporal Lester W. Weber, USMC] , "Who's Who in Marine Corps History", History Division, United States Marine Corps.
* [http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/0000033ba9f47a7385255fa600554417?OpenDocument Medal of Honor citation] , United States Marine Corps.

External links

* [http://www.mishalov.com/Weber.html Lester W. Weber] profile