Merritt Thomas Cousins

Merritt “Tom” Cousins grew up on farm near Clinton where he completed his education. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 1966 and trained as a field radio operator. He arrived in Vietnam and served as a Forward Observer with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines in Quang Tri Province where he was known as friendly and a dedicated Marine. On July 8th, he was part of a patrol that came under heavy enemy fire. Cousins was wounded in the attack near Con Thien close to the DMZ. In order to defend his squad, he called in his own artillery so close they could feel the shrapnel. Wounded a second time when the enemy attacked his position, he continued to direct artillery fire until he was killed by hostile fire, the radio still in his hands. Lance Corporal Cousins received the Navy Cross for his actions to save his fellow Marines. He was buried in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery.