David George Ouellet
Seaman, U.S. Navy
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Seaman David George Ouellet (13 June 1944 - 6 March 1967) was a U.S. Navy Seaman who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War.

David George Ouellet was born on 13 June 1944 in Newton, MA. After finishing school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 28 July 1964 and upon completion of his training, joined Assault Craft Division Twelve for duty in Vietnam. After five months in Vietnam, he was ordered to San Diego, CA for training in river patrol boats. Upon completion of this training, he returned to Vietnam and joined River Squadron Five, My Tho Detachment 532.

On 6 March 1967, Ouellet was on patrol in PBR-124 as the forward machine gunner. While patrolling near a river bank, Seaman Ouellet saw an enemy grenade coming towards his boat. He ran back towards the stern shouting for everybody to take cover and when seeing the boat captain unprotected, he pushed him down a hatch to safety. Between the split second the missile landed in the boat and exploded, Seaman Ouellet placed himself between the missile and his shipmates and absorbed the impact of the blast. As a result, Seaman Ouellet was mortally wounded. For his heroic sacrifice, he was posthumously received the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy, River Squadron 5, My Tho Detachment 532.

Place and date: Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam, 6 March 1967.

Entered service at: Boston, MA. Born: 13 June 1944, Newton, MA.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As the forward machine gunner on River Patrol Boat (PBR) 124, which was on patrol during the early evening hours, Seaman Ouellet observed suspicious activity near the river bank, alerted his boat captain, and recommended movement of the boat to the area to investigate. While the PBR was making a high-speed run along the river bank, Seaman Ouellet spotted an incoming enemy grenade falling toward the boat. He immediately left the protected position of his gun mount and ran aft for the full length of the speeding boat, shouting to his fellow crewmembers to take cover. Observing the boat captain standing unprotected on the boat, Seaman Ouellet bounded on to the engine compartment cover, and pushed the boat captain down to safety. In the split second that followed the grenade's landing, and in the face of certain death, Seaman Ouellet fearlessly placed himself between the deadly missile and his shipmates, courageously absorbing most of the blast fragments with his body in order to protect his shipmates from injury and death. His extraordinary heroism and his selfless and courageous actions on behalf of his comrades at the expense of his life were in the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

David George Ouellet's name is listed on panel 16E, Row 030.

Honors

Seaman David George Ouellet was given the ultimate honor by the Navy, when they commissioned the USS Ouellet (FF-1077), on 12 December 1970.

Death and Burial

Seaman David George Ouellet was killed in action on 6 March 1967. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley, MA.