Medal of Honor urged for Vietnam vet

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By Nisha Gutierrez Staff Writer

HACIENDA HEIGHTS - Joseph T. Getherall blocked out details from the Vietnam War for nearly 40 years.

Getherall, 60, served two tours with the U.S. Marine Corps and was wounded three times.

During his military service, the Hacienda Heights resident pulled a wounded soldier to safety despite being wounded himself and saved members of his unit by throwing an enemy grenade back toward the attackers.

It wasn't until 2004, after attending a Marine Corps reunion, that the retired Los Angeles Police Department detective was reminded of his actions.

"In order to get over it, I had to block it out," said Getherall. "I didn't think about it once until these guys brought it up at the reunion."

Prompted by members of his unit, Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Santa Fe Springs, on Feb. 8 introduced a bill requesting that the president award Getherall the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award given for valor in action against an enemy force.

Getherall said he is overwhelmed by the honor and remembered his time in Vietnam.

"The fear is indescribable. It was like someone kicked an anthill and they were everywhere," Getherall said. "The carnage and the bloody bandages that were there from dragging away the wounded and the dead was incredible."

He joined the Marine Corps at age 17 after dropping out of school in the ninth grade. He said he was the "product of the projects in South Boston" and decided the military would help him straighten out his life.

"The Marine Corps absolutely, positively created my life. It gave me self-discipline and direction," Getherall said. "If it wasn't for the Marine Corps, I wouldn't be where I am today."

In the early morning hours of Dec. 22, 1966, Getherall, a sergeant, was the squad leader with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 3rd Marine Division during Operation Chinook. According to accounts from Getherall and squad members, the squad was in a night defensive position near the Co Bi-Than Tan Corridor of the Thua Thien Province when intense enemy fire erupted from the 802nd Viet Cong Battalion.

While guiding his squad, Getherall was seriously injured in both legs and arms by an exploding mortar round but refused medical evacuation and continued with his unit.

During the firefight, one of his fellow Marines went down. Getherall moved across dangerous open terrain and dragged the wounded Marine to safety, according to accounts.

Those actions got him recommended for a Silver Star, which he never received because the information was lost by the Marine Corps.

During another assault that night, Getherall picked up an enemy grenade that had landed near the Marines and threw it back where it exploded a few meters away and left Getherall with his third wound.

He was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1967 and said he never thought about Vietnam.

Instead, he had a 28-year career in law enforcement and put his memories of Vietnam behind him until a few years ago.

Don Lepore, a member of in Getherall's unit, said it's a shame he has still not been recognized for his heroism.

"I couldn't believe it because we were under heavy fire with rounds kicking up all around us and there was Sgt. Getherall picking up the grenade. I saw him start to throw it back down the hill when I ducked down in my foxhole," Lepore said. "There is no doubt that myself and others would have been killed or seriously wounded had Sgt. Getherall not given us a warning and thrown that grenade back at the enemy."

Gary Loveridge, Getherall's former platoon commander, recommended Getherall for the Silver Star and was upset he was never officially recognized for his bravery.

Loveridge, who has been instrumental in helping Getherall take the necessary steps to get his accolades, contacted Napolitano after learning about the grenade incident.

"Joe is very deserving for the Medal of Honor," Loveridge said. "Because in addition to the heroic actions that evening he has stayed in contact with the members of his platoon, since reuniting with them, and has given them guidance and support because some of them are dealing with their own issues of being veterans of Vietnam."

After hearing about Getherall three years ago, Napolitano said she has been trying to get him recognition.

"Sometimes it takes an act of Congress to move things," Napolitano said. "\ went beyond the call of duty. The people he saved are alive and supporting his story, and I think he deserves it. He served our country bravely and faithfully and his service deserves to be awarded."

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, there have been 3,461 Medals of Honor awarded.

Napolitano said she hopes the decision for Getherall's is made soon but that it could take years.

After retiring from LAPD in 1996, Getherall continued to live an active life. He opened a private investigator business, provided security for celebrities, won a bodybuilding championship at age of 53 and enjoyed life with his family.

He has three adult children, five grandchildren and has been married for nearly 40 years.

Getherall said after the award process started, the first family member he told about his actions in Vietnam was his son.

Joey Getherall, 28, played in the NFL and is now an LAPD officer. He said his father's story was unsurprising.

"I didn't expect anything less from him. I was raised by a great man, and I have always had the highest respect for him," he said. "That's why I have followed in his footsteps and tried to emulate him. He's one of a kind."