James Richard Loy

James Loy, far right.

The database page for James Richard Loy

21 Dec 1998 Although I never knew my father, he died six months before I was born, I am proud of his duty to our Country. I have a photo of him and four other men 11 days before he died saving another. The photo has always raised questions of what it was like, what he was like, and what the future would have been. I am happy with my life the way it has turned out. I have no regrets, but there is still a small void that only a father could fill. From his son, Rob Loy rob.loy@cox.net CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to JAMES R. LOY HOSPITALMAN UNITED STATES NAVY for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 10 January 1968 while serving as a corpman with the Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. As a squad-sized patrol from Company "F" proceeded in total darkness along the safety lane within a minefield while on an ambush mission near Con Thien, the point man inadvertantly led the squad into the mined area. Within minutes, two mines were detonated simultaneously, wounding three Marines. Upon hearing the explosions, Hospitalman Loy unhesitatingly moved from the rear of the squad, entered the minefield, and manuevered to the side of the wounded men to administer first-aid treatment. Realizing that the life of one seriously injured Marine depended on his immediate evacuation to a medical facilty, and aware that it would take considerable time to clear a path through the minefield, Hospitalman Loy carefully prepared the injured man for movement and unaided, proceeded to carry his comrade from the hazardous area. Slowly moving across the minefield, Hospitalman Loy had advanced approxiamately thirty meters when he was mortally wounded by an exploding mine. By his bold iniative, extraordinary courage, and selfless devotion to duty, Hospitalman Loy inspired all who observed him. His heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. For the President, T. H. Moorer Admiral, United States Navy Chief of Naval Operations

A Note from The Virtual Wall Although assigned to H&S Company, Hospitalman Loy was in the field with Fox 2/1. The mine explosions described in HN Loy's Silver Star Citation above killed two men: HN Loy and Pfc William P. Backer of Mandan, North Dakota, who died 12 January 1968. "You guys are the Marine's doctors - There's none better in the business than a Navy Corpsman ..." -- Lieutenant General "Chesty" Puller -- Visit John Dennison's Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his son, Rob Loy rob.loy@cox.net  21 Dec 1998

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 12/10/2004