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McGrill Cemetery
  Section F  

Born:  May 07, 1943 at Lake Charles, LA

Entered Service in the US Army from New Orleans, LA

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Vietnam War For heroism May 04, 1968 at A Shau Valley, Vietnam

First Lieutenant Fournet was rifle platoon leader and was advancing uphill against fortified enemy positions in the A Shau Valley. The platoon encountered intense sniper fire, making movement very difficult. The right flank man suddenly discovered an enemy claymore mine covering the route of advance and shouted a warning to his comrades. Realizing that the enemy would also be alerted, First Lieutenant Fournet ordered his men to take cover and ran uphill toward the mine, drawing a sheath knife as he approached it. With complete disregard for his safety and realizing the imminent danger to members of his command, he used his body as a shield in front of the mine as he attempted to slash the control wires leading from the enemy positions to the mine. As he reached for the wire the mine was detonated, killing him instantly. Five men nearest the mine were slightly wounded, but First Lieutenant Fournet's heroic and unselfish act spared his men of serious injury or death.