56 Years Later: “He Saved My Life in Vietnam,” Remembering a Local Man’s Courage

SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – John Mason reached out to Smokey Barn News with something on his heart. Fifty-six years ago, Springfield resident Joe Northington saved his life during the Vietnam War conflict — and he never forgot it. John was kind enough to share his story with us, and we’re bringing it to you.

June 16th by John Mason, Asheville, NC

June 16th sits quietly surrounded by nationally recognized days honoring in particular manner service to this nation and its citizens: Memorial Day, in memory of those who gave their lives; Flag Day, in recognition of the first thirteen stars and stripes, Juneteenth, commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation, and Independence Day, our nation’s declaration of self-dependence. June 16th is, for most of us, unremarkable and uncelebrated, except perhaps for the near beginning of summer.

It is, however, for those Marines who served as grunts in Company M, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines in WestPac fifty-six years ago, a remarkable day, one not forgotten by the company’s survivors, including this writer and one of the quiet, steadfast and underrated citizens of a small town near Nashville—Springfield, Tennessee. His name is Joe Northington.

Then, Company M was running ops about seven miles southwest of DaNang, mostly platoon-size patrols and interdiction ops to stop NVA/VC rocket attacks. That morning one of Company M’s rifle platoons in two separate engagements against NVA/VC forces took twenty-five casualties. Among them were the company executive officer, the platoon commander and a Navy corpsman. Joe Northington, then a Marine gun team leader, fought in both engagements.

Following the second engagement a reaction platoon, commanded by another lieutenant, joined survivors of the prior action. Their mission that night was a series of squad and platoon patrols coordinated with relocating the platoon patrol base to separate assigned positions.

After dark, setting into their first position on a small knoll, the platoon radioman tripped a booby trap, blowing off his foot, wounding Joe’s squad leader in the head and stitching the lieutenant from ankle to ear with shrapnel. Joe called “Corpsman up” to attend the radioman and his squad leader. He checked the lieutenant who was bleeding from major wounds in his right arm and leg. Joe tied a tourniquet on the lieutenant’s arm and brought up the radio so casualties would be reported, a medivac called, the PPB relocated off the knoll and word passed to withdraw carefully to avoid another booby trap.

Slowly, most of the Marines withdrew to a defensive position below the knoll. Joe assisted his squad leader off the knoll while other Marines carried the wounded radioman. When the medivac helicopter arrived on station, hovering well above them, Joe returned to the lieutenant. “The pilot wants a strobe,” he reported. “We have no strobe,” replied the lieutenant, who then instructed Joe to take his penlight, dig a hole, place the light in a “C-RAT” can and tell the pilot to guide on the light. Joe withdrew down the knoll, had the penlight set and the medivac landed. The gun squad leader and radioman were carried onto the helicopter. Joe returned to the lieutenant, who tried to stand and collapsed. Then Joe and four other Marines carried the lieutenant on a poncho off the knoll onto the helicopter. As they boarded the medivac, he asked, “What’s your name, Marine?” “I’m Joe Northington.”

Joe’s old now, a Purple Heart decorated veteran, retired in Springfield from over forty years service at Springfield KFC where he was honored for decades of superior performance. FULL STORY WITH PHOTOS He occasionally does yard work and is Sunday School Director at St. James Baptist Church in Cedar Hill. He’s your neighbor, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and devoted husband to his wife Monica. He’s also a good man, and a quiet, unsung and humble national hero, although he would never admit to such an accolade because his heroes were Marines with whom he served who didn’t survive Vietnam. If you have the chance to see him, please thank him for his service and tell him the lieutenant thanks him for his life.

Semper Fi, Joe

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