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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Lance Corporal Lester William Weber, USMC
Lester W. Weber, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in February 1969, was born 30 July 1948, in Aurora, Illinois. He was graduated from St. Isaac Jogues Grammar School in Hinsdale, Illinois, in 1962, then attended Hinsdale Central High School for two years.
He left high school in enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at Chicago, 30 September 1966. He subsequently enlisted in the Regular Marine Corps, 23 January 1967.
Lance Corporal Weber completed recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, in March 1967. Transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, he received individual combat training with Company Z, and weapons special training with Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 2d Infantry Training Regiment. He was promoted to private first class, 1 June 1967.
Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in July 1967, he was assigned duty as an ammunition carrier and squad leader with Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was promoted to lance corporal, 1 November 1967.
In January 1969, he assumed duty as squad leader with the 2d Platoon, Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines. While participating in a search and clear operation in the Bo Ban area of Hieu Duc District in Quang Nam Province, he was killed in action, 23 February 1969.
Lance Corporal Weber completed a normal tour of duty in Vietnam and had extended for six months.
A complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver star in lieu of five bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Lance Corporal Weber was survived by his parents, Mr. George C. Weber of LaGrange, Illinois, and Mrs. Elsie M. Weber of Hinsdale, Illinois, and two brothers.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 23 February 1969. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 30 July 1948, Aurora, Ill. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machinegun squad leader with Company M, in action against the enemy. The 2d Platoon of Company M was dispatched to the Bo Ban area of Hieu Duc District to assist a squad from another platoon which had become heavily engaged with a well entrenched enemy battalion. While moving through a rice paddy covered with tall grass L/Cpl. Weber's platoon came under heavy attack from concealed hostile soldiers. He reacted by plunging into the tall grass, successfully attacking 1 enemy and forcing 11 others to break contact. Upon encountering a second North Vietnamese Army soldier he overwhelmed him in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Observing 2 other soldiers firing upon his comrades from behind a dike, L/Cpl. Weber ignored the frenzied firing of the enemy and racing across the hazardous area, dived into their position. He neutralized the position by wrestling weapons from the hands of the 2 soldiers and overcoming them. Although by now the target for concentrated fire from hostile riflemen, L/Cpl. Weber remained in a dangerously exposed position to shout words of encouragement to his emboldened companions. As he moved forward to attack a fifth enemy soldier, he was mortally wounded. L/Cpl. Weber's indomitable courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
 Courtesy of Find A Grave
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