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.
Ralph Ellis Dias
| |
---|---|
![]()
Ralph E. Dias, Medal of Honor recipient
| |
Born | (1950-07-15)July 15, 1950 Shelocta, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | November 12, 1969(1969-11-12) (aged 19) Quảng Nam Province, South Vietnam |
Place of burial |
Oakdale Cemetery, Leetonia, Ohio, U.S.
|
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1967–1969 |
Rank | Private First Class |
Unit | Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
Awards | Medal of Honor (1969) Purple Heart |
Ralph Dias was born on July 15, 1950, in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from elementary school in 1965, then attended Elderton Joint High School in Elderton, Pennsylvania, for two years.
When Dias was 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on October 9, 1967, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and underwent recruit training with the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.
Upon completion of recruit training in December, Dias 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.
In April 1969, Dias was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam for duty as a rifleman with Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force.
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.
Dias is buried in Oakdale Cemetery, Leetonia, Ohio.[1]
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
/S/ RICHARD M. NIXON
Dias' awards include:[2]
1st row | Medal of Honor | Purple Heart | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2nd row | Combat Action Ribbon | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | National Defense Service Medal | |||||||||
3rd row | Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Campaign stars |
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with frame and palm |
Vietnam Campaign Medal | |||||||||
Badges | Expert marksmanship badge for rifle |
Expert marksmanship badge for pistol |
The name Ralph E. Dias is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") on Panel 16W, Line 063.[3] A section of state rt 344 in Leetonia has been renamed in his honor. More information may be found at http://www.morningjournalnews.com/page/content.detail/id/511243/A-day-for-Dias.html.