Melvin O . Handrich Melvin O . Handrich ( January 26 , 1919 – August 26 , 1950 ) was a soldier in the U . S . Army during the Korean War . He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 25 and 26 , 1950 , during the Battle of Pusan Perimeter . He is buried at Little Wolf Cemetery in Manawa , Waupaca County , Wisconsin . A World War II veteran , Handrich entered the Army in August 1942 and took part in the Aleutian Islands Campaign , participating in the recapture of Kiska . Then , after parachute training , he went to Europe and saw action in Italy , France , Belgium , and Germany , receiving the Purple Heart with two oak leaf cluster s and the Combat Infantryman Badge . Discharged from the Army in September 1945 , he re - enlisted in January 1949 and was sent to the Far East command in March 1949 . The medal was given to Handrich ' s father by General Omar N . Bradley at a Pentagon ceremony on June 21 , 1951 . On August 4 , 1969 , the 83d Ordnance Battalion compound at Anyang - ni was named Camp Handrich in his honor . Medal of Honor citation . Citation : " The President of the United States of America , in the name of Congress , takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor ( Posthumously ) to Master Sergeant Melvin Oscar Handrich ( ASN : 36258213 ) , United States Army , for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company C , 5th Infantry Regimental Combat Team , 1st Cavalry Division , in action against enemy aggressor forces at Sobuk San Mountain , Korea , on 25 and 16 August 1950 . Master Sergeant Handrich ' s 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 . Master Sergeant 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 eight 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 , Master Sergeant 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 Master Sergeant 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 Master Sergeant 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 . Master Sergeant Handrich ' s sustained personal bravery , consummate courage , and gallant self - sacrifice reflect untold glory upon himself and the heroic traditions of the military service . "