Melvin O. Handrich

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Melvin O. Handrich
January 26, 1919(1919-01-26) – August 26, 1950 (aged 31)
Medal of Honor recipient Melvin Handrich
Place of birth	Manawa, Wisconsin
Place of death	Near Sobuk San Mountain, Korea
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	-1950
Rank	Master Sergeant
Unit	Company C, 5th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart

Melvin O. Handrich (January 26, 1919 – August 26, 1950) was a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 25 and August 26, 1950. He is burried at Little Wolf Cemetery in Manawa, Wisconsin.

1 Medal of Honor citation
2 See also
3 Notes
4 References

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 5th Infantry Regiment

Place and date: Near Sobuk San Mountain, Korea, 25 and 26 August 1950

Entered service at: Manawa, Wis. Born: 26 January 1919, Manawa, Wis.

G.O. No.: 60, 2 August 1951

Citation:

M/Sgt. Handrich, Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. His company was engaged in repulsing an estimated 150 enemy who were threatening to overrun its position. Near midnight on 25 August, a hostile group over 100 strong attempted to infiltrate the company perimeter. M/Sgt. Handrich, despite the heavy enemy fire, voluntarily left the comparative safety of the defensive area and moved to a forward position where he could direct mortar and artillery fire upon the advancing enemy. He remained at this post for 8 hours directing fire against the enemy who often approached to within 50 feet of his position. Again, on the morning of 26 August, another strong hostile force made an attempt to overrun the company's position. With complete disregard for his safety, M/Sgt. Handrich rose to his feet and from this exposed position fired his rifle and directed mortar and artillery fire on the attackers. At the peak of this action he observed elements of his company preparing to withdraw. He perilously made his way across fire-swept terrain to the defense area where, by example and forceful leadership, he reorganized the men to continue the fight. During the action M/Sgt. Handrich was severely wounded. Refusing to take cover or be evacuated, he returned to his forward position and continued to direct the company's fire. Later a determined enemy attack overran M/Sgt. Handrich's position and he was mortally wounded. When the position was retaken, over 70 enemy dead were counted in the area he had so intrepidly defended. M/Sgt. Handrich's sustained personal bravery, consummate courage, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect untold glory upon himself and the heroic traditions of the military service.^[1]