May we honor all those men and women who have given their lives in service to our country. My uncle, Sam Coursen, was killed in the Korean War and awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously. His wife, my Aunt Evie, accepted the award in his stead, with my cousin, Sam Coursen Jr. in her arms (see below).
Here is his citation:
(signed) Harry Truman
The
President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress March 3, 1863 has awarded in the name of The
Congress the Medal of Honor, posthumously, to
First Lieutenant Samuel S. Coursen, USA
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy:
Lieutenant Coursen, Infantry, United States Army, Company C, 5th Calvary Regiment, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action on 12 October 1950 near Kaesong, Korea. While Company C was attacking Hill 174 under heavy enemy small arms fire, his platoon received enemy fire from close range. The platoon returned the fire and continued to advance. During this phase, one of his men moved into a well-camouflaged emplacement, which was thought to be unoccupied, and was wounded by enemy who were hidden within the emplacement. Seeing the soldier in difficulty he rushed to the man's aid and, without regard for his own personal safety, engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat in an effort to protect his wounded comrade until he himself was killed. When his body was recovered after the battle, seven enemy dead were found in the emplacement. Several of the enemies' heads had been crushed as the result of Lieutenant Coursen's violent struggle with his rifle. His aggressive and intrepid actions saved the life of the wounded man, eliminated the main position of the enemy roadblock and greatly inspired the men in his command. Lieutenant Coursen's extraordinary heroism and intrepidity reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.
First Lieutenant Samuel S. Coursen, USA
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy:
Lieutenant Coursen, Infantry, United States Army, Company C, 5th Calvary Regiment, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action on 12 October 1950 near Kaesong, Korea. While Company C was attacking Hill 174 under heavy enemy small arms fire, his platoon received enemy fire from close range. The platoon returned the fire and continued to advance. During this phase, one of his men moved into a well-camouflaged emplacement, which was thought to be unoccupied, and was wounded by enemy who were hidden within the emplacement. Seeing the soldier in difficulty he rushed to the man's aid and, without regard for his own personal safety, engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat in an effort to protect his wounded comrade until he himself was killed. When his body was recovered after the battle, seven enemy dead were found in the emplacement. Several of the enemies' heads had been crushed as the result of Lieutenant Coursen's violent struggle with his rifle. His aggressive and intrepid actions saved the life of the wounded man, eliminated the main position of the enemy roadblock and greatly inspired the men in his command. Lieutenant Coursen's extraordinary heroism and intrepidity reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.
(signed) Harry Truman
For more information on Sam Coursen's life, go here.
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