Stanley R . Christianson Stanley R . Christianson ( January 24 , 1925 – September 29 , 1950 ) was a Marine Corps private first class who posthumous ly received the Medal of Honor for giving his life in a one - man stand against a ferocious attack which threatened to destroy his platoon in Korea on September 29 , 1950 . The nation ’ s highest tribute for gallantry was presented to his parents by Secretary of the Navy Dan A . Kimball in Washington , D . C . , on August 30 , 1951 . The Medal of Honor was PFC Christianson ’ s second decoration in 16 days of fighting in Korea . Just 11 days before he was killed , he was awarded the Bronze Star for another act of valor . The 25 - year - old veteran of almost eight years in the Marine Corps also had been awarded a Letter of Commendation for meritorious service in the Pacific during World War II . Biography . Born January 24 , 1925 , in Mindoro , Wisconsin , Stanley Reuben Christianson attended school in La Crosse County , Wisconsin , and farmed for a time before enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve on October 2 , 1942 , at the age of 17 . Following recruit training at San Diego , California , Christianson took advanced training with the 2nd Marine Division and went overseas with that outfit . He fought at Tarawa , Saipan , Tinian , and Okinawa , and served with the occupation forces in Japan . Discharged in December 1945 , PFC Christianson re - enlisted in the regular Marine Corps three months later . He served at the Naval Air Station Pensacola Florida ; as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island , South Carolina ; at the Naval Ammunition Depot , Hastings , Nebraska ; at the Brooklyn Navy Yard , Brooklyn , New York ; and at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina , before going overseas to Korea with the 1st Marine Division in August 1950 . After participating in the Inchon landing , he earned the Bronze Star Medal on September 18 , 1950 . The citation said Private First Class Christianson , acting as an automatic rifleman during an assault , “ fearlessly and courageously exposed himself to find the exact location of the enemy . " Eleven days later , PFC Christianson was killed . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS STANLEY R . CHRISTIANSON 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 with Company E , Second Battalion , First Marines , First Marine Division ( reinforced ) , in action against enemy aggressor forces at Hill 132 , Seoul , Korea , in the early morning hours of September 29 , 1950 . Manning one of the several listening posts covering approaches to the platoon area when the enemy commenced the attack , Private First Class 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 weapon s and incendiary grenades . Accounting for seven enemy dead in the immediate vicinity before his position was overrun and he himself fatally struck down , Private First Class 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 , and many more wounded and three taken prisoner . His self - sacrificing actions in the face of overwhelming odds sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service . Private First Class Christianson gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / HARRY S . TRUMAN