2LT TERRENCE COLLINSON GRAVES 2LT TERRENCE COLLINSON GRAVES 2LT TERRENCE COLLINSON GRAVES 2LT TERRENCE COLLINSON GRAVES

 

29 Sep 2002 Citation for the MEDAL OF HONOR awarded to Second Lieutenant Terrence Collinson Graves United States Marine Corps For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon commander with the 3d Force Reconnaissance Company. While on a long-range reconnaissance mission, 2LT Graves' 8-man patrol observed 7 enemy soldiers approaching their position. Reacting instantly, he deployed his men and directed their fire on the approaching enemy. After the fire had ceased, he and 2 patrol members commenced a search of the area, and suddenly came under a heavy volume of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force. When 1 of his men was hit by the enemy fire, 2LT Graves moved through the fire-swept area to his radio and, while directing suppressive fire from his men, requested air support and adjusted a heavy volume of artillery and helicopter gunship fire upon the enemy. After attending the wounded, 2LT Graves, accompanied by another Marine, moved from his relatively safe position to confirm the results of the earlier engagement. Observing that several of the enemy were still alive, he launched a determined assault, eliminating the remaining enemy troops. He then began moving the patrol to a landing zone for extraction, when the unit again came under intense fire which wounded 2 more Marines and 2LT Graves. Refusing medical attention, he once more adjusted air strikes and artillery fire upon the enemy while directing the fire of his men. He led his men to a new landing site into which he skillfully guided the incoming aircraft and boarded his men while remaining exposed to the hostile fire. Realizing that 1 of the wounded had not embarked, he directed the aircraft to depart and, along with another Marine, moved to the side of the casualty. Confronted with a shortage of ammunition, 2LT Graves utilized supporting arms and directed fire until a second helicopter arrived. At this point, the volume of enemy fire intensified, hitting the helicopter and causing it to crash shortly after liftoff. All aboard were killed. 2d Lt. Graves' outstanding courage, superb leadership and indomitable fighting spirit throughout the day were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

 

The Box Score Patrol The events surrounding the Box Score patrol's engagement and the efforts to extract the team are a glowing example of Marine heroism under fire and were recognized as such at the time. Five of eight Box Score Team members, four aircrewmen from VMO-6, and one infantryman from Bravo 1/4 Marines died on 16 February 1968 and a number of others were wounded. The actions of the men involved in the engagement were recognized by one Medal of Honor, three Navy Crosses, five Silver Stars, and two Bronze Stars. The Virtual Wall takes pride in honoring the Americans who died in the Box Score engagement, and through them the men who survived. Details of the engagement are published on the Box Score Memorial Page The following Marines are honored on The Virtual Wall: From Team Box Score - 3rd Force Recon Company 2nd Lt Terrence Collinson Graves - KIA - Medal of Honor Cpl Robert Brian Thomson - KIA - Silver Star L/Cpl Steven Eric Emrick - KIA - Bronze Star PFC James Earl Honeycutt - KIA - Navy Cross PFC Adrian Salome Lopez - Died of Wounds - Silver Star From VMO-6 (UH-1E BuNo 151291) Capt Bobby Frank Galbreath - KIA - Navy Cross 1st Lt Paul Andrew Jensen - KIA - Silver Star SSgt Jimmy Ellison Tolliver - KIA Cpl Harry Warren Schneider - KIA From Bravo 1/4 Marines: Cpl William A. Lee - KIA

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