At just 14 years old, Dan Bullock was determined to become a United States Marine. He altered his birth certificate to show he was old enough and successfully enlisted, and sent to Parris Island. Boot camp wasn’t easy for him, but with the support of a fellow recruit, he pushed through and graduated on December 10, 1968.
By May 18, 1969, now a Private First Class, Dan Bullock arrived in South Vietnam, serving as a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Stationed at An Hoa Combat Base, he was thrown into the harsh realities of war.
Less than a month later, on June 7, 1969, PFC Bullock had been assigned to cleaning duty, but after another Marine was wounded, he was moved to night watch. Later that night, the base came under attack. A North Vietnamese sapper unit infiltrated their perimeter under the cover of darkness and threw a satchel charge into a bunker, killing three Marines. The assault that ensued was fierce, leading to hand-to-hand combat at some positions.
To support those firing on the assaulting forces, PFC Bullock began running back and forth to deliver much-needed ammunition for an hour before he was hit by small arms fire and fell mortally wounded. He was just 15 years old.
Dan Bullock was the youngest American service member killed in action during the Vietnam War, and possibly the youngest since WWI.
For 31 years, Dan Bullock’s gravesite was marked but lacked a headstone. In 2000, an effort was made to right this dishonor, leading to the placement of a proper headstone.

Please view our other videos to learn about our Medal of Honor heroes.

Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons & the Jonathan Abel Collection (COLL/3611)

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