George, Charles (August 23, 1932 - November 30, 1952) - US Army soldier, awarded the Medal of Honor for action in the battle of November 30, 1952 during the Korean War . He was mortally wounded when he covered himself with a grenade to save other soldiers of his company, for which he was awarded the posthumous Medal of Honor.
| Charles George | |
|---|---|
| English Charles George | |
| Date of Birth | August 23, 1932 |
| Place of Birth | colorado state |
| Date of death | November 30, 1952 (aged 20) |
| A place of death | near Sone-dong, Korea |
| Affiliation | U.S. Army |
| Type of army |  U.S. Army |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Part | Company C, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | Korean war |
| Awards and prizes |   |
Born in Cherokee, North Carolina . Ethnic indian ananiyuviya . Joined Whiter, North Carolina. He rose to the rank of private first class . By the time of his death in the battle of Sonai-dong, Korea was serving in the company C, the 179th Infantry Regiment, and the 45th Infantry Division .
Veterans Medical Center [1] in Asheville , North Carolina is named after Charles George.
Several teens discovered George’s medals: Purple Heart , Bronze Star, and Medal of Impeccable Service in an antique store. The owner agreed to give them free of charge, provided that the medals will be transferred to the George family, which was done [2] .
Award entry
The award took place on March 18, 1954. The award entry reads:
Private First Class George, an employee in Company C, distinguished himself through outstanding courage and bravery shown in the performance of official duties and beyond in battle with the enemy on the night of November 20, 1952. He was part of the reconnaissance squad, which had the task of engaging in battle with the enemy and capturing a prisoner for [subsequent] interrogation. Climbing the slope, the reconnaissance group came under heavy mortar and machine gun fire and suffered serious losses. During the offensive, he fought bravely and, reaching the crest of the ridge, burst into the trenches and entered hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. When the allied forces, after completing the assignment, received orders to withdraw, he and two of his comrades remained to cover the retreat. When they got out of the trenches, an enemy soldier threw a grenade in the middle of their group. Private George shouted a warning to one comrade, pushed off another and, fully aware of the consequences, hesitantly covered his body with a grenade, taking on all the power of the explosion. Having been seriously wounded during such a demonstration of valor, he did not utter a single cry not to reveal the position of his comrades. Two soldiers evacuated him to the front line first aid, he soon died of his wounds. Private George, with his indomitable fighting spirit, perfect devotion to duty and voluntary self-sacrifice, earned the highest honor and supported the best traditions of military service.
Original textPfc. George, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy on the night of November 30, 1952. He was a member of a raiding party committed to engage the enemy and capture a prisoner for interrogation. Forging up the rugged slope of the key terrain feature, the group was completed to intense mortar and machine gun fire and suffered several casualties. Throughout the advance, he fought valiantly and, upon reaching the crest of the hill, leaped into the trenches and closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. When friendly troops were ordered to move back upon completion of the assignment, he and 2 comrades remained to cover the withdrawal. While in the process of leaving the trenches a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into their midst. Pfc. George shouted a warning to 1 comrade, pushed the other soldier out of danger, and, with full knowledge of the consequences, unhesitatingly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full blast of the explosion. Although seriously wounded in this display of valor, he refrained from any outcry which would divulge the position of his companions. The 2 soldiers evacuated him to the forward aid station and shortly thereafter he succumbed to his wound. Pfc. George's indomitable courage, consummate devotion to duty, and willing self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.
- [3]
Notes
- ↑ Charles George VA Medical Center
- ↑ Boys Return War Medals to Medal of Honor Winner's Family - ABC News
- ↑ "CHARLES GEORGE" entry . Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War . United States Army Center of Military History (June 8, 2009). Date of treatment December 31, 2007.