Walter C . Monegan , Jr . Walter Carleton Monegan , Jr . ( December 25 , 1930 – September 20 , 1950 ) was a United States Marine who was posthumous ly awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Korea , where he gave his life to help repulse an overwhelming enemy tank and infantry attack . He was killed on September 20 , 1950 , near Seoul , as he calmly stepped out into the heavy fire of an enemy tank - infantry attack and proceeded to methodically knock out the tanks at close range with his bazooka . The Medal of Honor was presented to his widow by Secretary of the Navy Dan A . Kimball , during ceremonies on February 8 , 1952 , in Washington , D . C . Biography . Walter Carleton Monegan , Jr . was born on December 25 , 1930 in Melrose , Massachusetts . He attended schools in Malden , Reading , and Walpole , Massachusetts , and in November 1947 ( before his seventeenth birthday ) , enlisted in the Army . He was discharged in January 1948 , when his age was discovered , and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 22 , 1948 in Baltimore , Maryland . After completing his recruit training at Parris Island , South Carolina , in June 1948 , Monegan was ordered to San Francisco , where he sailed for duty in China with the 3rd Marines at Tsingtao . He returned to the United States in June 1949 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton , Oceanside , California , until June 1950 , when he was ordered to the Marine Barracks , Naval Air Station , Seattle . While in Seattle , Monegan married . His son is Walt Monegan . He re - enlisted on July 20 , 1950 , and the following month returned to Camp Pendleton , where he joined the 2nd Battalion , 1st Marines , 1st Marine Division . Korean War - Medal of Honor action . Monegan shipped out to Korea where he participated in the Inchon landing on September 15 , 1950 . His unit then moved on toward Seoul . Five days later , as outside of Seoul , near Sosa - ri , he was killed in action while knocking out a tank attack . He was originally buried in Inchon , Korea , but was reinterred on July 19 , 1951 in Arlington National Cemetery , Arlington , Virginia . Decorations . In addition to the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart , his decorations include : the Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star ; the China Service Medal ; and the Korean Service Medal with one bronze star . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WALTER C . MONEGAN , JR . UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rocket Gunner attached to Company F , Second Battalion , First Marines , First Marine Division ( Reinforced ) , in action against enemy aggressor forces near Sosa - ri , Korea , on 17 and September 20 , 1950 . Dug in a hill overlooking the main Seoul highway when six enemy tanks threatened to break through the Battalion position during a pre - dawn attack on September 17 , Private First Class Monegan promptly moved forward with his bazooka under heavy hostile automatic weapon s fire and engaged the lead tank at a range of less than 50 yards . After scoring a direct hit and killing the sole surviving tankman with his carbine as he came through the escape hatch , he boldly fired two more rounds of ammunition at the oncoming tanks , disorganizing the attack and enabling our tank crews to continue blasting with their 90 - mm guns . With his own and an adjacent company ' s position threatened by annihilation when an overwhelming enemy tank - infantry force by - passed the area and proceeded toward the battalion Command Post during the early morning of September 20 , he seized his rocket launcher and , in total darkness , charged down the slope of the hill where the tanks had broken through . Quick to act when illuminating shell hit the area , he scored a direct hit on one of the tanks as hostile rifle and automatic weapons fire raked the area at close range . Again exposing himself he fired another round to destroy a second tank and , as the rear tank turned to retreat , stood upright to fire and was fatally struck down by hostile machine - gun fire when another illuminating shell silhouetted him against the sky . Private First Class Monegan ' s daring initiative , gallant fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty were contributing factors in the success of his company in repelling the enemy and his self - sacrificing efforts throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / HARRY S . TRUMAN