Carl H . Dodd Carl Henry Dodd ( April 21 , 1925 – October 13 , 1996 ) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the U . S . military ' s highest decoration , the Medal of Honor , for his actions in the Korean War . He was awarded the medal for conspicuous leadership during the taking of a strongly defended hill as part of Operation Thunderbolt . Family and early career . Dodd was born to Edward and Ruby Eagle Dodd on April 21 , 1925 , in the community of Cotes near Evarts , Kentucky . He enlisted in the U . S . Army in 1943 and developed a foot problem while helping train other soldiers . Discharged in March 1946 as a sergeant , Dodd re - enlisted only months later in September . Dodd married Libbie Rose and had three children , sons Carl Jr . and David and daughter Lorana . Korean War . Upon the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 , Dodd was sent to Korea with Company E of the 2nd Battalion , 5th Infantry Regiment , 24th Infantry Division . During the Battle of Masan on August 7 , 1950 , Dodd ( then a master sergeant ) earned the U . S . military ' s third - highest decoration , the Silver Star . When his platoon was overrun near Chindong - ni , he took over for the missing platoon leader and led the twelve remaining soldiers in reestablishing their position . A North Korean attack from all sides followed , and Dodd provided covering fire while the rest of the platoon pulled back , then returned to rescue two men who had been unable to withdraw due to heavy fire . He was awarded the Silver Star on November 13 , 1950 , for this action . He later received a battlefield commission and assumed the rank of second lieutenant . Beginning on January 30 , 1951 , Dodd led his platoon against Hill 256 , a strongly defended position near Subuk , Korea , as part of Operation Thunderbolt . Leading from the front despite intense hostile fire , he single - handedly destroyed a machine gun nest and a mortar position while organizing and encouraging his men . The next morning he and his platoon continued their advance and captured the hill . Dodd was subsequently promoted to first lieutenant and , on June 4 , 1951 , awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the fight for Hill 256 . Later years . Dodd retired from the Army in 1965 as a major , ending a 21 - year career of military service . He died at age 71 on October 13 , 1996 , at a Lexington , Kentucky , veterans ' hospital . He was buried at Cumberland Memorial Gardens in Laurel County just outside of Corbin , Kentucky , where he was residing at the time of his death . Medal of Honor citation . Dodd ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : 1st Lt . Dodd , Company E , distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy . First Lt . Dodd , given the responsibility of spearheading an attack to capture Hill 256 , a key terrain feature defended by a well - armed , crafty foe who had withstood several previous assaults , led his platoon forward over hazardous terrain under hostile small - arms , mortar , and artillery fire from well - camouflaged enemy emplacements which reached such intensity that his men faltered . With utter disregard for his safety , 1st Lt . Dodd moved among his men , reorganized and encouraged them , and then single - handedly charged the first hostile machine gun nest , killing or wounding all its occupants . Inspired by his incredible courage , his platoon responded magnificently and , fixing bayonets and throwing grenades , closed on the enemy and wiped out every hostile position as it moved relentlessly onward to its initial objective . Securing the first series of enemy positions , 1st Lt . Dodd again reorganized his platoon and led them across a narrow ridge and onto Hill 256 . Firing his rifle and throwing grenades , he advanced at the head of his platoon despite the intense concentrated hostile fire which was brought to bear on their narrow avenue of approach . When his platoon was still 200 yards from the objective he moved ahead and with his last grenade destroyed an enemy mortar killing the crew . Darkness then halted the advance but at daybreak 1st Lt . Dodd , again boldly advancing ahead of his unit , led the platoon through a dense fog against the remaining hostile positions . With bayonet and grenades he continued to set pace without regard for the danger to his life , until he and his troops had eliminated the last of the defenders and had secured the final objective . First Lt . Dodd ' s superb leadership and extraordinary heroism inspired his men to overcome this strong enemy defense reflecting the highest credit upon himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service .