Collier, Gilbert George

Gilbert George Collier (December 30, 1930 - July 20, 1953), a soldier of the US Army , a participant in the Korean War . Posthumously awarded the highest US military award Medal of Honor for his actions July 19 and 20, 1953.

Collier, Gilbert George
English Gilbert Georgie Collier
Date of Birth	December 30, 1930 ( 1930-12-30 )
Place of Birth	Hunter , Arkansas , USA
Date of death	June 20, 1953 ( 1953-06-20 ) (22 years old)
A place of death	near Tutayon, Korea
Affiliation	USA
Type of army	U.S. Army
Years of service	1951 - 1953
Rank	Sergeant (posthumously)
Battles / wars	Korean war
Awards and prizes

He joined the army from Tichnor, Arkansas in 1951 ^[1] .

Award entry

Rank and unit: sergeant (then corporal) US Army, company F, 223th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Tutayong, Korea, July 19-20, 1953

He entered the service: Tychnor, Ark [Ansas]. Born December 30, 1930 Hunter Arc.

GO No .: 3, January 12, 1955

Quote:

Sergeant Collier, a fighter in Company F, distinguished himself by his outstanding courage and indomitable courage, fulfilling and exceeding his duty in the battle against the enemy. Sergeant Collier was a gunner and assistant to the leader of the combat patrol, who was tasked with making contact with the enemy. As the patrol moved forward in the dark, he and his commander slipped and fell off a 60-foot cliff, injuring him. The officer greatly stretched his ankle and could not move immediately, so he ordered the patrol to return to his own. Despite the pain from a back injury, Sergeant Collier decided to stay with the commander. Before dawn, they began to crawl through mountainous terrain into the opposite valley, where they hid in the bushes until dark, then moved to the positions of their company. Shortly after the start of the afternoon retreat, they were ambushed. In the ensuing battle, Sergeant Collier killed two enemy soldiers, but received painful wounds and was cut off from his comrade. After the ammunition had ended, he entered hand-to-hand combat with four enemy soldiers, killing, injuring and fleeing them with his bayonet. During the battle, he was mortally wounded, but made a gallant attempt to reach his commander and help him in a desperate effort to save the life of his comrade, not caring about his own personal safety. Sergeant Collier's undaunted courage, complete dedication to duty and courageous self-sacrifice brought him last glory and upheld the noble traditions of military service.

Original text

Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Cpl.), US Army, Company F, 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Tutayon, Korea, 19-July 20, 1953

Entered service at: Tichnor Ark. Born: December 30, 1930, Hunter, Ark.

GO No .: 3, January 12, 1955

Citation:

Sgt. Collier, a member of Company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Sgt. Collier was pointman and assistant leader of a combat patrol committed to make contact with the enemy. As the patrol moved forward through the darkness, he and his commanding officer slipped and fell from a steep, 60-foot cliff and were injured. Incapacitated by a badly sprained ankle which prevented immediate movement, the officer ordered the patrol to return to the safety of friendly lines. Although suffering from a painful back injury, Sgt. Collier elected to remain with his leader, and before daylight they managed to crawl back up and over the mountainous terrain to the opposite valley where they concealed themselves in the brush until nightfall, then edged toward their company positions. Shortly after leaving the daylight retreat they were ambushed and, in the ensuing fire fight, Sgt. Collier killed 2 hostile soldiers, received painful wounds, and was separated from his companion. Then, ammunition expended, he closed in hand-to-hand combat with 4 attacking hostile infantrymen, killing, wounding, and routing the foe with his bayonet. He was mortally wounded during this action, but made a valiant attempt to reach and assist his leader in a desperate effort to save his comrade's life without regard for his own personal safety. Sgt. Collier's unflinching courage, consummate devotion to duty, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service /

- ^[2]