Rank: Sergeant
Unit: I Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11C – Indirect Fire Infantryman
Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Selected Service
Date of birth: 18-Aug-1948
Hometown: Lawton, Oklahoma
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Start of tour: 17-Jun-1968
Incident date: 9-May-1969
Date of casualty: 9-May-1969
Age at death: 20
Cause of death: Hostile, died of wounds. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Marvin Lewis Noe died from burns received while driver of a military vehicle returning to a night defensive position (NDP) when vehicle hit a mine. Individual was admitted to a military hospital, placed on the Serious Injured (SI) list, and later expired.
Location of fatality: Binh Long, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Fort Sill Post Cemetery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, USA
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SILVER STAR
POSTHUMOUS
SERGEANT MARVIN LEWIS NOE
24 APRIL 1969
I TROOP, 3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Sergeant Noe distinguished himself for gallantry in actions while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in action on 24 April 1969 while serving as driver of an armored cavalry assault vehicle in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date after the troop had engaged a group of hostile troops and forced it to flee, two armor platoons and an infantry element were designated to make a sweep of the contact area while the remainder of the troop continued on to the night defensive position. As it led the friendly elements back through the area, Sergeant Noe’s vehicle suddenly detonated an enemy mine, knocking the vehicle commander unconscious and showering Sergeant Noe with flaming oil. After rolling on the ground and extinguishing the flames, Sergeant Noe, in spite of burns over eighty percent of his body and in spite of the danger of explosions remounted the vehicle to rescue his wounded and unconscious comrade. After carrying the casualty to an evacuation point, Sergeant Noe refused medical attention for himself until his comrade had received proper treatment. On 9 May 1969 Sergeant Noe succumbed to his injuries. Sergeant Noe’s exceptional courage, unwavering devotion to duty and selfless concern for the welfare of his fellow soldier were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 1813 (22 July 1969)