When Joseph G. LaPointe Jr. was drafted in 1968, he never objected to fight for his country, never questioned whether it was right wrong, his only condition was simple: he'd rather save a life than to take one. As a conscientious objector, he trained as medic and within a few months, Joseph would find himself in the jungles of Vietnam.
On June 2, 1969 his patrol came under heavy fire when the lead element walked right in front of a concealed bunker position. The hail of gunfire immediately wounded the first 2 soldiers.
Without hesitation, SPC4 LaPointe rushed towards the screams under murderous fire. In order to reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of the enemy bunker. He administered first aid to 1 man, shielding the other with his body. He was then hit by a burst MG fire while attending the wounded soldier. In spite of his painful wounds, LaPointe continued his lifesaving duties, covering his brothers with his body until he was hit again.
Still, with undaunting courage, he crawled back again for a third time into a shielding position to continue administering first aid until a grenade landed near the men, killing all 3.
For his courage and dedication to his brothers, at only 20 years old, Joseph LaPointe would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor, leaving behind a wife and a 6 month son he never met.
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