On that day, west of Landing Zone Liz in the Republic of Vietnam, he manned a machine gun from an exposed position during an intense enemy attack, allowing SSG Joaquin Garcia to rescue a wounded comrade.

[2] His mother Doris lent the medal to U.S. Army officer and NASA astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock to take on his June 2010 launch to the International Space Station.

[3] Sergeant Stone's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

The 1st Platoon was on a combat patrol mission just west of Landing Zone Liz when it came under intense automatic weapons and grenade fire from a well concealed company-size force of North Vietnamese regulars.

His actions of unsurpassed valor were a source of inspiration to his entire unit, and he was responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers.