Remembering My Northridge Friend, Guy La Pointe, Awarded The Congressional Medal Of Honor

This Memorial Day, I am thinking, with a well of unexpected emotion, of my Northridge friend, Guy La Pointe. Guy has been gone now for almost 40 years, killed in Vietnam on June 2, 1969. Guy lived just up the street from me on Cardinal Drive in Northridge. He was a year behind me in school. I remember that Guy always had a big sense of fun about him, always a big smile on his face. He is caught in my imagination at about age 15.

Guy Lapointe

I went off to college where I had a college deferment that kept me from being drafted. Guy was drafted in May, 1968. A conscientious objector, Guy became a medic in the US Army.

Guy lasted just over one year in the Army. He gave his life saving others. Guy was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, for “his gallantry and selflessness.”

His citation reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SP4 La Pointe, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during a combat helicopter assault mission. SP4 La Pointe’s patrol was advancing from the landing zone through an adjoining valley when it suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force entrenched in well fortified bunker positions. In the initial hail of fire, 2 soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded. Hearing a call for aid from 1 of the wounded, SP4 La Pointe ran forward through heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker. As members of his unit attempted to provide covering fire, he administered first aid to 1 man, shielding the other with his body. He was hit by a burst of fire from the bunker while attending the wounded soldier. In spite of his painful wounds, SP4 La Pointe continued his lifesaving duties until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous efforts, he moved back again into a shielding position to continue administering first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded all 3 men. SP4 La Pointe’s courageous actions at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades. His gallantry and selflessness are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U. S. Army.”