Korean War
Medal of Honor Recipients from Wisconsin
Read here of the deeds of these brave heroes and do not forget them!
The names which are preceded by an asterisk denote posthumous awards.
This table lists the recipients by date, they are listed alphabetically below.
*Private First Class Christianson, Stanley R.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2D Battalion, 1ST Marines, 1ST Marine Division (Rein.).
Place and date: Seoul, Korea, 29 September 1950.
Entered service at: Mindoro, Wisconsin.
Born: 24 January 1925, Mindoro, Wisconsin.
Citation: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Hill 132, in the early morning hours. Manning 1 of the several listening posts covering approaches to the platoon area when the enemy commenced the attack, Pfc. Christianson quickly sent another marine to alert the rest of the platoon. Without orders, he remained in his position and, with full knowledge that he would have slight chance of escape, fired relentlessly at oncoming hostile troops attacking furiously with rifles, automatic weapons, and incendiary grenades. Accounting for 7 enemy dead in the immediate vicinity before his position was overrun and he himself fatally struck down, Pfc. Christianson, by his superb courage, valiant fighting spirit, and devotion to duty, was responsible for allowing the rest of the platoon time to man positions, build up a stronger defense on that flank, and repel the attack with 41 of the enemy destroyed, many more wounded, and 3 taken prisoner. His self-sacrificing actions in the face of overwhelming odds sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. Pfc. Christianson gallantly gave his life for his country.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 2 October 1942 at the age of 17 and served with them at Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. He was discharged in December of 1945 but reenlisted three months later. He earned the Bronze Star during the Inchon landing on 18 September 1950, eleven days before he was killed in action.
*Corporal Red Cloud, Mitchell, Jr.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U S. Army, Company E, 19TH Infantry Regiment, 24TH Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Chonghyon, Korea, 5 November 1950.
Entered service at: Merrilan Wisconsin.
Born: 2 July 1924, Hatfield, Wisconsin.
G.O. No.: 26, 25 April 1951.
Citation: “Cpl. Red Cloud, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. From his position on the point of a ridge immediately in front of the company command post he was the first to detect the approach of the Chinese Communist forces and give the alarm as the enemy charged from a brush-covered area less than 100 feet from him. Springing up he delivered devastating pointblank automatic rifle fire into the advancing enemy. His accurate and intense fire checked this assault and gained time for the company to consolidate its defense. With utter fearlessness he maintained his firing position until severely wounded by enemy fire. Refusing assistance he pulled himself to his feet and wrapping his arm around a tree continued his deadly fire again, until he was fatally wounded. This heroic act stopped the enemy from overrunning his company’s position and gained time for reorganization and evacuation of the wounded. Cpl. Red Cloud’s dauntless courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflects the highest credit upon himself and upholds the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
He had enlisted in the Marine Corps in August of 1941, falsifying his age to get in. He served in the Pacific with Carlson’s Raiders during WWII. Discharged from the Marines late in 1945, he enlisted in the Army on 1 October 1948.
Corporal Ingman, Einar H., Jr.
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Corporal.), U.S. Army, Company E, 17TH Infantry Regiment, 7TH Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Maltari, Korea, 26 February 1951.
Entered service at: Tomahawk, Wisconsin.
Born: 6 October 1929, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
G.O. No.: 68, 2 August 1951.
Citation: “Sgt. Ingman, a member of Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. The 2 leading squads of the assault platoon of his company, while attacking a strongly fortified ridge held by the enemy, were pinned down by withering fire and both squad leaders and several men were wounded. Cpl. Ingman assumed command, reorganized and combined the 2 squads, then moved from 1 position to another, designating fields of fire and giving advice and encouragement to the men. Locating an enemy machinegun position that was raking his men with devastating fire he charged it alone, threw a grenade into the position, and killed the remaining crew with rifle fire. Another enemy machinegun opened fire approximately 15 yards away and inflicted additional casualties to the group and stopped the attack. When Cpl. Ingman charged the second position he was hit by grenade fragments and a hail of fire which seriously wounded him about the face and neck and knocked him to the ground. With incredible courage and stamina, he arose instantly and, using only his rifle, killed the entire guncrew before falling unconscious from his wounds. As a result of the singular action by Cpl. Ingman the defense of the enemy was broken, his squad secured its objective, and more than 100 hostile troops abandoned their weapons and fled in disorganized retreat. Cpl. Ingman’s indomitable courage, extraordinary heroism, and superb leadership reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the infantry and the U.S. Army.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
His Family moved to a farm near Kewauskum when he was thirteen, they had moved to Tomahawk by the time he entered the service on 1 November 1948.
*Second Lieutenant Sudut, Jerome A.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B, 27TH Infantry Regiment, 25TH Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Kumhwa, Korea, 12 September 1951.
Entered service at: Wisconsin.
Birth: 20 August 1929, Wausau, Wisconsin.
G.O. No.: 31, 21 March 1952.
Citation: “2d Lt. Sudut distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. His platoon, attacking heavily fortified and strategically located hostile emplacements, had been stopped by intense fire from a large bunker containing several firing posts. Armed with submachinegun, pistol, and grenades, 2d Lt. Sudut charged the emplacement alone through vicious hostile fire, killing 3 of the occupants and dispersing the remainder. Painfully wounded, he returned to reorganize his platoon, refused evacuation and led his men in a renewed attack. The enemy had returned to the bunker by means of connecting trenches from other emplacements and the platoon was again halted by devastating fire. Accompanied by an automatic-rifleman 2d Lt. Sudut again charged into close-range fire to eliminate the position. When the rifleman was wounded, 2d Lt. Sudut seized his weapon and continued alone, killing 3 of the 4 remaining occupants. Though mortally wounded and his ammunition exhausted, he jumped into the emplacement and killed the remaining enemy soldier with his trench knife. His single-handed assaults so inspired his comrades that they continued the attack and drove the enemy from the hill, securing the objective. 2d Lt. Sudut’s consummate fighting spirit, outstanding leadership, and gallant self-sacrifice are in keeping with the finest traditions of the infantry and the U.S. Army.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
He enlisted in the Army in March 1946 and served in the Pacific area before he went to Korea.
*Master Sergeant Handrich, Melvin O.
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, Wisconsin.
Born: 26 January 1919, Manawa, Wisconsin.
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.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Korea was MSG Handrich’s second war. He entered the service 2 Sep. 1942 and later served with distinction as a paratrooper in the joint U.S.-Canadian 1ST Special Service Force during World War II. He saw combat in some of Europe’s fiercest battles in Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany, and earned the Bronze Star and 3 Purple Hearts. He was discharged in September 1945, but reenlisted in January 1949.