Thomas P. Noonan, Jr.
| Thomas Patrick Noonan Jr. | |
|---|---|
 
Thomas P. Noonan Jr., posthumous Medal of Honor recipient
|
|
| Born |
November 18, 1943 Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | February 5, 1969 (aged 25) Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1967–1969 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Thomas Patrick Noonan Jr. (November 18, 1943–February 5, 1969) was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the United States' highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for heroism during February 1969 in Vietnam.
Noonan was born on November 18, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, New York in June 1961 and attended Hunter College in the Bronx, New York, graduating with a B.A. degree in Physical Education in June 1966. Coincidentally, he grew up with Sergeant Robert Emmett O’Malley, who would also be awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. The two attended school and church together and were friends throughout childhood. After Noonan's death in Vietnam, O'Malley remained in contact with the Noonan family and visited Noonan's mother every year on Memorial Day.
He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve in Brooklyn, New York on December 26, 1967 and was subsequently discharged to enlist in the Regular Marine Corps on January 31, 1968.
Private Noonan completed recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina in April 1968, and was promoted to private first class on April 1, 1968.
Transferred to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he underwent individual combat training with the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment.
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