| Frank Stanley Reasoner | |
| Birth Date: | 1937 9, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Đại Lộc District, Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam |
| Placeofburial: | Greenwood Cemetery Kellogg Idaho[1] |
| Placeofburial Label: | Place of burial |
| Medal: | Moh right.gif |
| Medal Alt: | A light blue neck ribbon with a gold star shaped medallion hanging from it. The ribbon is similar in shape to a bowtie with 13 white stars in the center of the ribbon. |
| Allegiance: | United States of America |
| Branch: | United States Marine Corps |
| Serviceyears: | 1955–1965 |
| Alma Mater: | USMA, B.S. 1962 |
| Commands: | Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion |
| Unit: | 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion |
| Awards: | Medal of Honor Purple Heart Medal Combat Action Ribbon |
Frank Stanley Reasoner (16 September 1937 – 12 July 1965) was a United States Marine Corps officer who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty in 1965 during the Vietnam War.
Reasoner was born in Spokane, Washington in September 1937. He moved with his parents to Kellogg, Idaho, in 1948, and graduated from Kellogg High School in June 1955. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps three months before his 18th birthday.
He completed recruit training at the San Diego Recruit Depot in August, and was promoted to private first class. He then went to and completed infantry training at Camp Pendleton, California. He was designated an Airborne Radio Operator in 1956 upon completing Airman School, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Jacksonville, Florida, and the Communication Electronics School at San Diego. He was next assigned to Marine Wing Service Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, El Toro, California, and while there was promoted to corporal. He was transferred to the Naval Academy Preparatory School at United States Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Maryland in 1957, then served as a guard at Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland.
In January 1958, he was promoted to sergeant prior to receiving Congressional appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, sponsored by U.S. Senator Henry Dworshak of Idaho. Successfully completing the Academy's entrance examinations in June 1958, Sgt. Reasoner was transferred to the inactive Marine Corps Reserve and enrolled as a cadet. While at the Military Academy, he lettered in baseball, and wrestling, and won four straight Brigade boxing championships in four different weight classes. Upon graduation, 6 June 1962, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and returned to the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant.
Reasoner was promoted to first lieutenant in December, and completed Officers Basic School at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, in January 1963. He then embarked for a three-year tour of duty with the Fleet Marine Force in the Pacific area. During his entire overseas tour, he served with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. Assigned initially to the 1st Marine Brigade, at Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawaii, he served with Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marines, and moved with his organization to Vietnam in April 1965. On 20 June 1965, he was designated Commanding Officer, Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced).
On 12 July 1965, Reasoner was leading an 18-man patrol from Company A near Đại Lộc, approximately 18 km southwest of Danang, when it was attacked by a company-sized Vietcong force. Reasoner was killed and 3 other Marines were wounded in the engagement.[2]
was named after Reasoner.
The 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion base camp at Hill 327, Danang, South Vietnam was named "Camp Reasoner" and dedicated to his memory. The hand-lettered sign near the gates of Camp Reasoner read: "…First Lieutenant Reasoner sacrificed his life to save one of his wounded Marines. 'Greater Love Hath No Man'." (See John 15:13 for "Greater love..." quote.)
Reasoner's military decorations and awards include:
The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress takes pride in presentingthe MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
for service as set forth in the following
Citation: