Joe Calvin Paul, a Lance Corporal in U.S. Marine Corps Company H, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines (Rein), 3d Marine Division (Rein), received the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in violent battle near Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, on August 18, 1965. Entered service at Dayton, Ohio, he was born on April 23, 1946, and was from Williamsburg, Kentucky. When his platoon sustained five casualties and was temporarily pinned down by devastating mortar, recoilless rifle, automatic weapons, and rifle fire from well entrenched Insurgent Communist (Viet Cong) forces, the wounded marines were left unable to move from perilously exposed positions forward of the rest of the platoon and came under a barrage of white phosphorous rifle grenades. Fully aware that his actions would almost certainly bring him serious injury or death, Paul disregarded his own safety, dashed across fire-swept rice paddies, placed himself between his wounded comrades and the enemy, and delivered effective suppressive fire with his automatic weapon long enough to allow the casualties to be evacuated. Although critically wounded during the battle, he remained in his exposed position and continued firing until he collapsed and was evacuated. By his fortitude and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, he saved the lives of several fellow marines, inspired all who observed him, reflected the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and U.S. Naval service, and gave his life in the cause of freedom.