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10 Korean War Medal of Honor Heroes America Should Never Forget
10 Korean War Medal of Honor Heroes America Should Never Forget
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War.” Fought between 1950 and 1953 on the rugged hills of the Korean peninsula, it came in the shadow of World War II and before the long national debates of Vietnam. Yet for the Americans who served there, it was anything but forgotten. In bitter cold, desperate battles, and moments of astonishing courage, ordinary young men performed acts of heroism that earned the nation’s highest military honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor. One hundred and thirty-three Americans received the medal for their actions during the war. Today, many of their names are little known outside military history. These are ten of those heroes, men whose courage deserves to be remembered.
Corporal Tibor Rubin
Corporal Tibor Rubin was born in Hungary in 1929 and survived imprisonment in the Nazi Mauthausen concentration camp before immigrating to the United States. During the Korean War, he fought with the 1st Cavalry Division. After holding off enemy forces for 24 hours to allow his unit to withdraw, he was captured and spent more than two years as a POW, secretly stealing food and medicine to save fellow prisoners. Rubin received the Medal of Honor in 2005.
Private First Class Herbert "Hal" Albert Littleton
Private First Class Herbert “Hal” Littleton was born in 1930 in Mena, Arkansas, and grew up in South Dakota. Called to active duty during the Korean War, he served with the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines. On April 22, 1951, while defending an observation post on Hill 44, he secured the radio and deliberately threw himself onto an enemy grenade, sacrificing his life to save fellow Marines. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Private First Class Herbert Kailieha Pililaau was born in 1928 in Waiʻanae, Hawaii, and later enlisted in the U.S. Army despite deep personal reflection about military service and his faith. During the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge on September 17, 1951, he voluntarily remained behind to cover his platoon’s withdrawal. Fighting alone after his ammunition ran out, he resisted enemy forces in close combat until he was killed. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Private First Class Eugene Arnold Obregon was born in 1930 in Los Angeles, California, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating high school. During the assault to recapture Seoul on September 26, 1950, he rushed through intense enemy fire to aid a wounded Marine. Using his own body as a shield, he returned fire and protected the casualty until evacuation was possible. Obregon was mortally wounded and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Major George Herman O’Brien Jr. was born in 1926 in Fort Worth, Texas, and worked as a petroleum geologist before serving with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. During the Battle of “The Hook” on October 27, 1952, he was wounded while leading Company H, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Refusing evacuation, he continued directing his Marines through intense combat, helping secure the position. For his leadership and courage, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Corporal Clifton Thiemer “Tip” Speicher was born in 1931 in Gray, Pennsylvania, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 before deploying to Korea with the 223rd Infantry Regiment. On June 14, 1952, during an assault on a fortified enemy position, he advanced alone toward a machine-gun nest despite being wounded. After destroying the position and enabling his unit’s advance, Speicher collapsed and died from his wounds. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Clyde Benfold
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Clyde Benfold was born in 1931 in Staten Island, New York, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating high school. Serving as a corpsman with the 1st Marine Division in Korea, he provided medical aid on the front lines. On September 5, 1952, he seized enemy grenades and rushed toward attacking soldiers, sacrificing his life to protect two wounded Marines. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., born in 1925 in Wisconsin and a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, first served as a Marine Raider in World War II before reenlisting in the U.S. Army. During the Korean War on November 5, 1950, near Chongju, he held a forward position against advancing enemy forces despite multiple wounds. Continuing to fire until his position was overrun, he delayed the attack and helped save his company. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Sergeant First Class Eugene Ashley Jr. was born in 1930 in Wilmington, North Carolina, and later enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving first with the 187th Regimental Combat Team in Korea. As a Green Beret with the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam, he led repeated assaults to relieve the besieged Lang Vei camp during the Tet Offensive in February 1968. Despite severe wounds, he continued attacking enemy positions until he was mortally wounded. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Private First Class William Henry Thompson was born in 1927 in Brooklyn, New York, and reenlisted in the U.S. Army after initial service following World War II. During the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter on August 6, 1950, he manned an exposed machine-gun position against advancing North Korean forces. Though wounded and ordered to withdraw, he continued firing to cover his unit’s retreat. Thompson was killed in action and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
.png "10 Korean War Medal of Honor Heroes America Should Never Forget – Everyday Patriot")
.png "Private First Class Herbert \"Hal\" Littleton – Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient | Everyday Patriot")
.png "Private First Class Herbert Kailicha Pililaau – Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient | Everyday Patriot")
.png "Private First Class Eugene Arnold Obregon – Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient | Everyday Patriot")
.png "Major George Herman O'Brien Jr – Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient | Everyday Patriot")
.png "Corporal Clifton Thiemer Speicher – Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient | Everyday Patriot")
.png "Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Clyde Benfold – Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient | Everyday Patriot")
.png "Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. – Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient | Everyday Patriot")
.png "Sergeant First Class Eugene Ashley Jr – Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient | Everyday Patriot")
.png "Private First Class William Henry Thompson – Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient | Everyday Patriot")
