Hometown: Crestline, OH
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division
Military Honors: Bronze Star with Combat V, Purple Heart
Date of Sacrifice: May 26, 1968 - KIA in Quảng Trị Province, Republic of Vietnam 
Age: 20
Conflict: Vietnam War, 1959-1975

Ralph Gearheart grew up in the small village of Crestline, Ohio. Born to parents Edward and Louise (Painter) Gearheart on February 1, 1948, Ralph had two sisters—Peggy and Mary Lou—and a brother, Cary.

Ralph graduated from Crestline High School in 1966 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 1967. His football and wrestling teammates gave him the nickname “Squeaky” because of his short height, and the name stuck with him for life.

After Basic Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina, Gearheart shipped out from California for overseas duty in Vietnam in April 1968.

As a rifleman, PFC Gearheart was assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He saw combat immediately, and on May 26, 1968, Gearheart was on a search and destroy operation in Quảng Trị province—the northernmost province of The Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam).

His unit came under intense sniper fire from enemy North Vietnamese soldiers, and Gearheart didn’t hesitate to leave safe cover when he saw a wounded fellow Marine in danger. For his courage under fire, PFC Gearheart was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star Medal. The citation reads:

For heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division. On 26 May 1968, while conducting a search and destroy operation, Company I suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from a large, well-concealed North Vietnamese Army force. During the ensuing firefight, the lead element was pinned down and sustained numerous casualties. Alertly observing a wounded Marine lying in an area dangerously exposed to the enemy fire, Private First Class Gearheart unhesitatingly left his covered position and commenced moving toward his injured comrade. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly maneuvered across thirty-five meters of fire-swept terrain to the side of the wounded Marine. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, he calmly removed the injured man’s equipment, and while moving the casualty out of the hazardous area, Private First Class Gearheart was mortally wounded. His heroic actions and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the life of a fellow Marine. Private First Class Gearheart’s courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

PFC Ralph Allen Gearheart was 20 years old when he sacrificed his life to save another Marine. In October 2020 he was inducted into the Crawford County (Ohio) Veterans Hall of Fame. PFC Gearheart is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., his name inscribed on Panel 66W, Line 6.

Sources
Details submitted by Mr. Bill Sheehan, PFC Gearheart’s high school classmate.
Telegraph Forum, Oct. 27, 2020: 6 selected to join Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame
The Galion Inquirer, Oct. 28, 2020: Veterans Hall of Fame announces 2020 inductees
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, The Wall of Faces: Ralph Allan Gearheart
HonorStates.org: Ralph Allen Gearheart
Burial Site: Find a Grave

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