Sailors from USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79), homeported in Norfolk, paid respects to their ships' namesake Oscar P. Austin, March 26, at a wreath laying ceremony during Phoenix Navy Week.

Oscar P. Austin was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism and sacrifice of his own life in Vietnam, in February 1969. Austin joined the United States Marine Corps in Phoenix, April 22, 1968, and completed recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in July 1968.

"Today we continue to carry on his legacy by living up to our motto 'honor and sacrifice' by giving back to this nation," said Oscar Austin's Command Master Chief Jorge Soto. "It's an honor to represent the crew of the USS Oscar Austin and we really thank everyone who came out to thank Oscar Austin for his accomplishments and sacrifice."

During the early morning hours on Feb. 23, 1969, Pfc. Austin's observation post came under a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force using a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges and small arms fire. Observing that one of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to hostile fire, Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his own safety, raced across the fire swept terrain to drag the Marine to safety. As he neared his companion, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby. Leaping between the grenade and the injured Marine, Austin took the full force of the explosion himself. Although he was badly injured, Austin turned to help his fallen companion and saw a North Vietnamese soldier aiming a weapon at the unconscious man. With full knowledge of the probable consequences, Austin threw himself between the injured Marine and the hostile soldier. In doing so, he was mortally wounded.

"What a fitting day it is to celebrate and commemorate and lay this wreath in honor of Oscar P. Austin," said the Rev. Warren H. Stewart, senior pastor at First Baptist Church. "Jesus Christ once said that 'a greater love does not exists then when a man lay down his life for his friends' and Oscar Austin is one who did just that."

The event was part of Phoenix Navy Week. Navy Weeks focus a variety of outreach assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements with key influencers and organizations representing all sectors of the market. During a Navy Week, multiple outreach events are coordinated with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service and diversity organizations in the city.