Frederick W . Mausert III Sergeant Frederick William Mausert III ( May 1 , 1930 – September 12 , 1951 ) was a United States Marine who earned the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life after repeated acts of heroism . The nation ’ s highest military decoration for valor was awarded the young Marine for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of the Punchbowl on September 12 , 1951 , at Songnap - yong , where he was killed while leading an assault on enemy positions . He was the 20th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War . Biography . Early years . Frederick William Mausert , III was born on May 2 , 1930 in Cambridge , New York . He went to elementary school in Brooklyn , New York , but attended high school in Monson , Massachusetts , where he played baseball , track , and basketball . He lived in Dresher , Pennsylvania , before his enlistment in the Marine Corps on June 21 , 1948 . He was employed by Glenside Hardware , Glenside , Pennsylvania . Marine Corps service . Following recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , South Carolina , he was stationed at Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune , North Carolina , before going to Korea , where he participated in campaigns in South and Central Korea . Decorations . In addition to the Medal of Honor , Sgt Mausert has been awarded the Purple Heart with a gold star in lieu of a second award , Good Conduct Medal , Korean Service Medal with one bronze star , and the United Nations Service Medal . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to SERGEANT FREDERICK W . MAUSERT , III 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 Squad Leader in Company B , First Battalion , Seventh Marines , First Marine Division ( Reinforced ) , in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 12 September 1951 . With his company pinned down and suffering heavy casualties under murderous machine - gun , rifle , artillery and mortar fire laid down from heavily fortified , deeply entrenched hostile strongholds on Hill 673 , Sergeant Mausert unhesitatingly left his covered position and ran through a heavily mined and fire - swept area to bring back two critically wounded men to the comparative safety of the lines . Staunchly refusing evacuation despite a painful head wound sustained during his voluntary act , he insisted on remaining with his squad and , with his platoon ordered into the assault moments later , took the point position and led his men in a furious bayonet charge against the first of a literally impregnable series of bunker s . Stunned and knocked to the ground when another bullet struck his helmet , he regained his feet and resumed his drive , personally silencing the machine - gun and leading his men in eliminating several other emplacements in the area . Promptly reorganizing his unit for a renewed fight to the final objective on top of the ridge , Sergeant Mausert boldly left his position when the enemy ' s fire gained momentum and , making a target of himself , boldly advanced alone into the face of the machine gun , drawing the fire away from his men and enabling them to move into position to assault . Again severely wounded when the enemy ' s fire found its mark , he still refused aid and continued spearheading the assault to the topmost machine - gun nest and bunkers , the last bulwark of the fanatic aggressors . Leaping into the wall of fire , he destroyed another machine - gun with grenade s before he was mortally wounded by bursting grenades and machine - gun fire . Stouthearted and indomitable , Sergeant Mausert , by his fortitude , great personal valor and extraordinary heroism in the face of almost certain death , had inspired his men to sweep on , overrun and finally secure the objective . His unyielding courage throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / HARRY S . TRUMAN