A Medal of Honor Recipient from the United States Marine Corps

[The following article is an excerpt from the U.S. Dept. of Defense’s weekly “Medal of Honor Monday” series, in which they highlight one of the more than 3500 Medal of Honor recipients who have earned the U.S. military’s highest medal for valor.]

“Although many men were drafted into the military during the Vietnam War, some, like Marine Corps 2nd Lt. John Bobo, volunteered. Bobo never came home from the war, but his sacrifice saved several members of his company.

“On March 30, 1967, the 24-year-old weapons platoon commander was on a routine patrol south of a marine base that was only a few miles below the North Vietnam border. His company settled into a defensive position on a hill for the night. Several rifle platoons were sent out to patrol for ambushes.

“Those patrols hadn’t been gone long when North Vietnamese soldiers swarmed out of the jungle to attack the men hunkered down on the hill. The Marines managed to push them back into the jungle, but they returned after more enemy troops blocked the rifle platoons on ambush duty from getting back to the hill to help.

“Bobo, who was with his platoon on the hill, quickly organized his men into a hasty defense against the enemy, which was bombarding them with weapons and mortar fire. He went from position to position, encouraging his Marines to fight their hardest, despite being outnumbered. He picked up a rocket launcher he found on a fallen Marine and organized a team to use it against the enemy’s machine gunners.

“Shortly after that, an enemy mortar exploded near Bobo, severing his right leg below the knee. [He tied a web belt around his knee as a tourniquet.] The massive injury, however, did not slow his determination. He refused to be evacuated and instead insisted on being propped up in a firing position so he could cover the rest of the Marines as they fled for safety. 

“At some point during the shootout, Bobo was struck and killed. However, his leadership, courage, and refusal to give up enabled the remaining Marines to get into a better position, where they were finally able to push the enemy back. No one forgot what Bobo did to help the surviving Marines to escape that day, and his memory continues to live on. His parents received the U. S Medal of Honor on his behalf on August 27, 1968.”

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13; ESV)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

  • We owe our freedom to hundreds of thousands of men and women, like Marine Corps 2nd Lt. John Bobo, who have laid down their life for the freedom we enjoy today. Thank the Lord for the freedom you enjoy because of these sacrifices. John 15:13, KJV, says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” 
  • Thank the Lord for the sons, the fathers, the spouses, the brothers and sisters, and the friends that have served to make us free. 
  • Intercede for those who serve us in the United States Marine Corps. Learn more about this branch of the service here. 
  • Fearlessness and boldness are characteristics that the Church will need in this era. Ask the Lord to make the Church brave, as in Bobo’s example.
  • Intercede with what the Lord said to the Hebrews as they went into the promised land, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

A prayer you can pray:

Father, John 15:13 tells us,“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” United States Marines, such as 2nd Lt. John Bobo have exemplified this scripture for us, as many in the armed services have. We honor those who have displayed such bravery by bestowing medals, such as the Medal of Honor, upon them in the natural. Today, we honor them spiritually and pray that the cost they paid for our nation’s freedom and the freedom of other nations of the earth will not be forgotten. Let us live worthy of the freedom they have given their lives to attain. Freedom is costly and should never be treated as a given, for in many other nations of the world, many do not live as freely as we do here in the United States. The United States Marine Corps is exemplary in its example of this bravery and we are thankful for them.

We do not want to lose the freedom we have, Lord. We especially do not want to lose the freedom we have as Believers in Jesus. We have taken for granted our ability to spread the Gospel. Now, there is an urgency. You have told us to be strong and courageous in expanding our territory spiritually. We cannot take lightly the attacks of the enemy against us. We can’t shrink back. We must fight for one another and help each other expand Your Kingdom. There is no time and no place for competition. We must be one, even as You are One. Let us fight our spiritual battles bravely. There are souls needing saved and a culture needing redeemed. Thank You for answering our hearts cry, Jesus. Make us bold, with a resolve to finish well for You. Amen.

Today’s decree:

May the Ekklesia display leadership, courage, and refusal to ever give up!