Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. A highly decorated veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, he received the award from President Dwight D. Eisenhower at Denver, Colorado on September 7, 1954, for his actions as a sergeant with the 2nd Platoon, Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. US Army, on June 10, 1953, near Surang-ni, South Korea. He joined the US Army in 1950 and when the Korean War broke out, he volunteered for duty at the front lines. On June 10, 1953, his unit was manning Outpost Harry near Surang-ni, South Korea, when it came under heavy enemy attack. He organized defensive positions, rescued wounded soldiers, and engaged the enemy until reinforcements arrived on the following day.. HE was subsequently promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant. After the war, he joined the US Army Special Forces where he gained a commission and served three tours of duty in the Vietnam War. In 1965, he was assigned to the Special Forces Training Group, where he was the Advanced Training Committee chief for SCUBA, HALO, and the SKY HOOK schools. He is credited for being the officer responsible for starting the present day Combat Divers Qualification Course in Key West, Florida. He retired from the US Army in 1981 at the rank of colonel. Among his other military awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit (with one oak leaf cluster), the Bronze Star Medal (with four oak leaf clusters and 'V' devise, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), the Air Medal, the Korean Service Medal (with two service stars), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (with three stars), the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the United Nations Korea Medal. and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He died from cancer at the age of 82. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "M/Sgt. Mize, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Company K was committed to the defense of "Outpost Harry," a strategically valuable position, when the enemy launched a heavy attack. Learning that a comrade on a friendly listening post had been wounded, he moved through the intense barrage, accompanied by a medical aidman, and rescued the wounded soldier. On returning to the main position he established an effective defense system and inflicted heavy casualties against attacks from determined enemy assault forces which had penetrated into trenches within the outpost area. During his fearless actions he was blown down by artillery and grenade blasts three times, but each time he dauntlessly returned to his position, tenaciously fighting and successfully repelling hostile attacks. When enemy onslaughts ceased, he took his few men and moved from bunker to bunker, firing through apertures and throwing grenades at the foe, neutralizing their positions. When an enemy soldier stepped out behind a comrade, prepared to fire, M/Sgt. Mize killed him, saving the life of his fellow soldier. After rejoining the platoon, moving from man to man, distributing ammunition, and shouting words of encouragement he observed a friendly machine-gun position overrun. He immediately fought his way to the position, killing 10 of the enemy and dispersing the remainder. Fighting back to the command post, and finding several friendly wounded there, he took a position to protect them. Later, securing a radio, he directed friendly artillery fire upon the attacking enemy's routes of approach. At dawn he helped regroup for a counterattack which successfully drove the enemy from the outpost. M/Sgt. Mize's valorous conduct and unflinching courage reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service."