1st Lieutenant Frank S. Reasoner

[Vulture6]

FRANK S REASONER
FIRST LIEUTENANT, USMC



First Lieutenant Frank S. Reasoner, former enlisted Marine and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, was the second Marine recipient of the Nation’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in July 1965. The Medal was presented to his widow, Mrs. Sally Reasoner, 31 January 1967, by Navy Secretary Paul H. Nitze, in ceremonies held at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Frank Stanley Reasoner was born in Spokane, Washington, 16 September 1937, and moved with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Curry, to Kellogg, Idaho, in 1948. Graduating from Kellogg High School in June 1955, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps three months before his 18th birthday.

Promoted to private first class after recruit training at the San Diego Recruit Depot in August, he went on to advanced infantry training at Camp Pendleton, California. He was designated an Airborne Radio Operator in 1956 upon completing Airman School, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Jacksonville, Florida, and the Communication Electronics School at San Diego. He was next assigned to Marine Wing Service Group 37, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, El Toro, California, and while there was promoted to corporal.

He was transferred to the Naval Academy Preparatory School, Bainbridge, Maryland, in 1957, then served as a guard at Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland. He was promoted to sergeant in January 1958, prior to receiving Congressional appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, sponsored by Senator Henry C. Dvorshak of Idaho.

Successfully completing the Academy’s entrance examinations in June 1958, Sergeant Reasoner was transferred to the inactive Marine Corps Reserve and enrolled as a cadet. While at the Military Academy, he lettered in baseball and wrestling winning an unprecedented four straight Brigade boxing championships in four different weight classes. Upon graduation, 6 June 1962, he was awarded a BS degree and returned to the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant in December of the following year.

Lieutenant Reasoner completed Officers Basic School at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, in January 1963, then embarked for a three-year tour of duty with the Fleet Marine Force in the Pacific area.

During his entire overseas tour, he served with the 3d Reconnaissance Battalion. Assigned initially to the 1st Marine Brigade, at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, he served with Company B, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marines, and moved with his organization to Vietnam in April 1965. On 20 June 1965, he was designated Commanding Officer, Company A, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division, the unit he was with when he was mortally wounded.

A Marine Corps camp in Vietnam was named “Camp Reasoner” and dedicated to his memory. The hand-lettered sign near the gates of Camp Reasoner read: “…First Lieutenant Reasoner sacrificed his life to save one of his wounded Marines. ‘Greater Love Hath No Man’.”

Lieutenant Reasoner was survived by his wife, Sally, and son, Michael Lawrence of Kingston, Idaho; and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Curry, of Kellogg, Idaho; one brother and two sisters.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. The reconnaissance patrol led by 1st Lt. Reasoner had deeply penetrated heavily controlled enemy territory when it came under extremely heavy fire from an estimated 50 to 100 Viet Cong insurgents. Accompanying the advance party and the point that consisted of 5 men, he immediately deployed his men for an assault after the Viet Cong had opened fire from numerous concealed positions. Boldly shouting encouragement, and virtually isolated from the main body, he organized a base of fire for an assault on the enemy positions. The slashing fury of the Viet Cong machinegun and automatic weapons fire made it impossible for the main body to move forward. Repeatedly exposing himself to the devastating attack he skillfully provided covering fire, killing at least 2 Viet Cong and effectively silencing an automatic weapons position in a valiant attempt to effect evacuation of a wounded man. As casualties began to mount his radio operator was wounded and 1st Lt. Reasoner immediately moved to his side and tended his wounds. When the radio operator was hit a second time while attempting to reach a covered position, 1st Lt. Reasoner courageously running to his aid through the grazing machinegun fire fell mortally wounded. His indomitable fighting spirit, valiant leadership and unflinching devotion to duty provided the inspiration that was to enable the patrol to complete its mission without further casualties. In the face of almost certain death he gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. His actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

An account of the action in which Lt. Reasoner was awarded the Medal of Honor is contained in Larry Vetter's "Never Without Heroes: Marine Third Reconnaissance Battalion in Vietnam, 1965-70," Ivy Books (Ballantine Publishing Group) "Chapter 2, The Reasoner Patrol," pages 17-26





Marines remember, honor fallen hero
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 200412392451
Story by Cpl. J. Agg

The eight former members of A company, 3rd Reconnaissance Bn., who reunited for the rededication of Reasoner Hall were (left or right) Bryant Collins, Daniel Kaler, Howard Lovingood, John Henry, Bill Henderson, Fred Murray, Jim Shockley and George Neville


Cpl. Bryant Collins is awarded the Navy Cross for heroically recovering Reasoner's body and a second, wounded Marine while effectively engaging Viet Cong forces near Da Nang on July 12, 1965. Photo by: Offical USMC photo



MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va (Dec. 02, 2004) -- Eight Marines, united by a single fateful day forever etched in annals of history, were reunited Friday at The Basic School here to reflect on their shared experiences as reconnaissance Marines in the jungles of Vietnam and to honor one of their own who gave his life so that another might live.

The men of A Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, remembered their company commander, 1st Lt. Frank S. Reasoner, at the rededication ceremony of Reasoner Hall at TBS.

Because of Reasoner and his Marines, July 12, 1965, would be a day remembered by the Corps for conspicuous acts of gallantry and heroism that would end in the posthumous awarding of a Medal of Honor, a Navy Cross and three Silver Stars. Reasoner was accompanying an advance party of five men ahead of his reconnaissance patrol deep behind enemy territory near DaNang when the group came under extremely heavy enemy fire from an estimated 50 to 100 Viet Cong from several concealed positions. Reasoner immediately deployed his men for an assault of the enemy, but he and his men quickly became separated from the main body of the patrol by withering machine gun and small arms fire. Reasoner repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he provided covering fire, killing at least two Viet Cong and silencing an automatic weapons position. After enabling the evacuation of one wounded Marine, Reasoner rushed to the aid of his radio operator. When the man was wounded a second time as he moved for cover, Reasoner again braved enemy fire as he rushed to his aid, but fell mortally wounded.

The radio operator, Jim Shockley, would survive to retire 22 years later as a major, because of Reasoner’s heroism.

Cpl. Bryant C. Collins also received the Navy Cross that day for taking charge of the advance party and personally recovering Reasoner’s body, as well as a second wounded comrade, all the while effectively engaging the enemy.

Three other Marines, 2nd Lt. Bill Henderson, Lance Cpl. Fred L. Murray and Pfc. Thomas Gatlin each were awarded the Silver Star for their efforts to evacuate the dead and wounded members of the patrol.

As Henderson addressed the lieutenants before the rededication of Reasoner Hall, he reminded them of a lesson he learned on the battlefields of Vietnam as a commander of reconnaissance Marines.

“I was green as grass when I hit the ground in Vietnam, [and] I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the Marines in front of me,” said Henderson. “It’s the noncommissioned officers who run the Marine Corps. As lieutenants, when you get there, recognize they know a lot more than you do and learn from them.”

Shockley, who currently serves a Republican representative to the Montana State Senate, said he is grateful that the Marine Corps has honored the man he credits with saving his life nearly four decades ago.

“I am glad the Marine Corps remembered him and what he did for us and for the Marine Corps as well,” said Shockley. “(The lieutenants) need to know they are following in the footsteps of some very great people.”

Murray, who eventually retired from the Marine Corps as a gunnery sergeant, said the rededication of Reasoner Hall is a befitting honor for the heroic actions of the building’s namesake.

“It was appropriate at this time with Afghanistan and Iraq that these young lieutenants be reminded of July 12, 1965, when this guy gave his life for his Marines and recall his self sacrifice,” said Murray, who also recalled the intense sense of fraternity shared between Marines in Vietnam that he says has been successfully passed to the current generation of young Marine officers.

“Frank Reasoner and his men that day weren’t thinking about the flag. They were thinking about each other,” said Murray. “I have spoken to Marines from Iraq and at Bethesda, and they’re still making them like they used to and they always will.”