Medal of Honor BRUCE, DANIEL D. *
Editor's note: This poem is by Emily Bruce, an eight grader at Alhambra Traditional School in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the niece of Medal of Honor recipient Daniel D. Bruce of Michigan City. Bruce died March 1St, 1969, at age 19, saving his fellow marines from an enemy explosive. The poem was submitted by Emily's father, Rodney Bruce, who wrote: "With the war in Iraq fresh in our minds and heavy on all of our hearts, especially this younger generation, we are reminded that freedom is not free." "When we have close ones that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, let us not ever forget and may we always pass this on to the next generation so thy might be spared any of this hurt and sorrow, if possible."
The time during times
When fear overcomes
Fear for their husbands, fathers and sons,
Called away by Uncle Sam
Called away to Vietnam
Age 18, Daniel left the house
Leaving family, friends, his mother and spouse,
He looked ahead, unsure of his nerve
But determination in him was strong.
He was ready to serve.
Rain cam down, as it always did,
Like leaves during autumn, the trees would rid.
Daniel, with fortitude and strife, learning the horrors of the soldier life,
Watching the injustices and dying,
Women and children, running, crying.It was night, the camp was set.
Everything soaked, cold and wet.
Something came flying through the air, Danny saw it-no time to spare.
He caught the grenade and held it to his chest.
Running to save all the rest.
Away from the camp he quickly ran,
Then God touched him with his merciful hand.His mother opened a letter that day
Afraid, truly of what it might say.
Tears came down, buckets of water,
as she cried.
Daniel Dean Bruce, her son, had died.He saved three men and received a Purple Heart,
And was a hero from the very start.
He was strong, kind-hearted, and brave.
Being one of the youngest to receive the
Medal of Honor
Couldn't amount to the lives he had saved.To a baby girl his wife gave birth
The day after he left this earth.
He's respected, loved and missed to this day.
And to close---though there's much to say—
He fought and served loyally,
A hero to our country; a hero to me.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Isaiah 3:2
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines Division, 1st Marine Division
Place and date: Fire Support Base Tomahawk, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 1 March 1969
Entered service at: Chicago, Illinois
Born: 18 May 1950, Michigan City, Indiana
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a mortar man with Headquarters and Service Company 3d Battalion, against the enemy. Early in the morning Pfc. Bruce was on watch in his night defensive position at Fire Support Base Tomahawk when he heard movements ahead of him. An enemy explosive charge was thrown toward his position and he reacted instantly, catching the device and shouting to alert his companions. Realizing the danger to the adjacent position with its 2 occupants, Pfc. Bruce held the device to his body and attempted to carry it from the vicinity of the entrenched marines. As he moved away the charge detonated and he absorbed the full force of the explosion. Pfc. Bruce's indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty saved the lives of 3 of his fellow marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
--- General / Personal ---
Last name: BRUCE
First name: DANIEL DEAN
Home of Record (official): BEVERLY SHORES
State (official): IN
Date of Birth: Thursday, May 18, 1950
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married
--- Military ---
Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: PFC
Serial Number: 2485891
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E2
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0351
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Friday, January 24, 1969
Date of Casualty: Saturday, March 1, 1969
Age at time of loss: 18
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Other explosive device (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Nam
The Wall: Panel 31W - Row 099
