Private First Class Ralph Ellis Dias (July 15, 1950 – November 12, 1969) was a
United States Marine who posthumously received the
Medal of Honor for heroism in
Vietnam in November 1969.
Upon completion of recruit training in December, he was transferred to the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment,
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for special
infantry training. In February 1968, he was ordered to the Marine Corps Base,
Camp Pendleton, California, for duty with Company B, 1st Battalion 28th Marines,
5th Marine Division.
Private Dias was
killed in action on November 12, 1969, while participating in combat in Quảng Nam Province. His heroic actions on that date were recognized with
his nation's highest military honor — the Medal of Honor. He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery, Leetonia, Ohio.[1]
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RALPH E. DIAS 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 Rifleman with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam on November 12, 1969. As a member of a reaction force which was pinned down by enemy fire while assisting a platoon in the same circumstance, Private First Class Dias, observing that both units were sustaining casualties, initiated an aggressive assault against an enemy
machine gunbunker which was the principal source of hostile fire. Severely wounded by enemy
snipers while charging across the open area, he pulled himself to the shelter of a nearby rock. Braving enemy fire for a second time, Private First Class Dias was again wounded. Unable to walk, he crawled fifteen meters to the protection of a rock located near his objective and, repeatedly exposing himself to intense hostile fire, unsuccessfully threw several
hand grenades at the machine gun emplacement. Still determined to destroy the emplacement, Private First Class Dias again moved into the open and was wounded a third time by sniper fire. As he threw a last grenade which destroyed the enemy position, he was mortally wounded by another enemy round. Private First Class Dias' indomitable courage, dynamic initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the
United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in service to his country.
This article incorporates
public domain material from websites or documents of the
United States Marine Corps.