Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War as a First Lieutenant (Rifle Platoon Commander) in Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and sacrifice at Inchon, Korea on September 15, 1950. His citation reads in part "Exposing himself to hostile fire, he moved forward alongside a bunker and prepared to throw a hand grenade into the next pillbox whose fire was pinning down that sector of the beach. Taken under fire by an enemy automatic weapon and hit in the right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw, he fell backward and dropped the deadly missile. After a moment, he turned and dragged his body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it. In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion."
Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War as a First Lieutenant (Rifle Platoon Commander) in Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and sacrifice at Inchon, Korea on September 15, 1950. His citation reads in part "Exposing himself to hostile fire, he moved forward alongside a bunker and prepared to throw a hand grenade into the next pillbox whose fire was pinning down that sector of the beach. Taken under fire by an enemy automatic weapon and hit in the right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw, he fell backward and dropped the deadly missile. After a moment, he turned and dragged his body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it. In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion."
Bio by: Don Morfe
Inscription
Medal of Honor
First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps
Korea
Family Members
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