III MEF VIDEOS

On 8 August, 1966, Major Howard V. Lee of 3rd Marine Division moved rapidly to reinforce a besieged platoon in south Vietnam with seven other Marines in two helicopters, landing in a "hot" zone and scaling up a hill to reach the platoon to help strengthen their men. Wounded by shrapnel, Major V. Lee led the men to continue attacking and calling artillery strikes deep into the night. The Marines fought on until the enemy withdrew. Major Howard V. Lee's heroic actions and expert leadership earned him the Medal of Honor that day. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Logan Foster)

On 30 april, 1968, Capt. Jay R. Vargas went above and beyond the call of duty during battles in Vietnam, risking his own life and leading his men even after being wounded numerous times. For his valiant and intrepid actions that day, he earned our nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor. Capt. Vargas, from Winslow Arizona, was part of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment during his heroic actions in Dai Do, Republic of Vietnam. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jacob Hancock)

Maj. Stephen W. Pless commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant in 1959. When he arrived in Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam as a captain, he would be given the chance to become the only Marine aviator of that conflict to receive the Medal of Honor. Pless, with the support of his crew, would disregard their own safety to save the lives of others--using their aircraft as a shield between an overwhelming Viet Cong force and four wounded U.S. Soldiers. During his tour in Vietnam, Pless was with Marine Observation Squadron 6, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Natalie Dillon)

During the Vietnam War, Pfc. Raymond M. Clausen Jr. served as a CH-46 crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. On Jan. 31, 1970, Clausen observed a platoon of nearly 20 Marines and Navy corpsmen trapped in a minefield taking heavy enemy fire. After carefully guiding the pilot to land atop craters created by previously detonated mines, Clausen left the safety of the aircraft six times to rescue the Marines. In total, Clausen carried or assisted 11 injured Marines and one deceased Sailor. Clausen's actions earned him the sacred Medal of Honor, which was awarded to him by President Richard Nixon, June 15, 1971. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Sgt. Natalie Dillon)