Reginald R . Myers Colonel Reginald Rodney Myers ( November 26 , 1919 – October 23 , 2005 ) was a United States Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Korea as a major — for fearlessly leading 250 United Nations troops to victory over 4 , 000 of the enemy in November 1950 at the Chosin Reservoir . The battle occurred on November 29 , 1950 , as the Chinese Communists threatened to envelop the United States Tenth Army Corps forces at the Chosin Reservoir . The success of Maj Myers ' mission proved vital to the defense of Hagaru - ri . He was presented the Nation ' s highest military decoration by President Harry S . Truman during ceremonies at the White House on October 29 , 1951 . Early years . Reginald Rodney Myers was born on November 26 , 1919 in Boise , Idaho . He received his early schooling and graduated from high school in Salt Lake City , Utah . He graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow , Idaho , in June 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering . He attained the rank of cadet colonel in the Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University . On September 1 , 1941 , he resigned his Army Reserve commission to accept appointment as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps . Col . Myers was a member of Idaho Alpha Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Marine Corps service . Second Lieutenant Myers completed Marine Officers ' Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard , then served as a company commander at the Marine Corps Base , San Diego , California . In June 1942 , he joined the Marine detachment on board the for a year duty at sea . He was promoted to first lieutenant in October 1942 , and to captain in April 1943 . World War II . In July 1943 , Capt Myers became Commanding Officer of the Marine detachment on board the . While on the New Orleans , he fought the Japanese at Guadalcanal , Tulagi , the Eastern Solomons , and Tassafaronga . Later , aboard the Minneapolis , he participated in the Gilbert , Marshall , Marianas , and Western Caroline Islands campaigns . Returning briefly to the United States in October 1944 , he was promoted to major in January 1945 . Major Myers again returned to the Pacific area in June 1945 , and served with the 5th Marines , 1st Marine Division , during the assault on Okinawa , and in the landing on and occupation of Northern China . He returned to the United States in May 1946 , and served at Mare Island , California , Norfolk , Virginia and Cherry Point , North Carolina . At Cherry Point , he served as Assistant G - 4 , Aircraft , Fleet Marine Force , Atlantic , and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing , from August 1948 until May 1950 . Korean War . Ordered to Korea in July 1950 , Maj Myers served as Executive Officer , 3rd Battalion , 1st Marines , 1st Marine Division . For his part in the Inchon landing , September 15 , 1950 , he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “ V , ” and for his heroism in helping to rescue two wounded Marines four days later he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal . Although he emerged unwounded from the Hagaru - ri engagement which earned him the Medal of Honor , he was wounded in action on April 25 , 1951 . Post - Korea . Major Myers returned to the United States in June 1951 . That August he reported to the Basic School , Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , as a battalion commander . While stationed at Quantico , he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1951 . Assigned next to Washington , D . C . , LtCol Myers served as Inspector - Instructor of the 5th Special Infantry Battalion , USMCR , from September 1952 through August 1953 ; and Inspector - Instructor , 13th Infantry Battalion , USMCR , from September 1953 through July 1955 . Following this assignment , he entered the Senior School at Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , and completed the course in June 1956 . Lieutenant Colonel Myers remained at Quantico until April 1958 , serving as Commanding Officer , Headquarters and Service Battalion , and Executive Officer , Basic School , respectively . From July 1958 until August 1961 , he was assigned as Assistant Naval Attache at the American Embassy in London , England . During this assignment , he was promoted to colonel in July 1960 . In September 1961 , Col Myers was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations , serving as Head , International Plans Section , Strategic Plans Division , until June 1963 . The following month , he joined the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa for duty as Troop Exercise Coordinator until June 1964 . Upon his return to the United States , he completed the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in July 1965 . He received his Master of Science degree in Business Administration from The George Washington University in September 1965 . Colonel Myers was assigned duty at Headquarters Marine Corps with the G – L Division in August 1965 . He served briefly as Director , Marine Corps Personnel Research and Analysis Office , then as Executive Officer to the Assistant Chief of Staff , G – L . Colonel Myers retired from active duty in the Marine Corps on May 1 , 1967 . He died on October 23 , 2005 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery , Arlington , Virginia . Awards and decorations . The colonel ' s medals and decorations include : the Medal of Honor ; the Legion of Merit ; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “ ' V ” and one Gold Star in lieu of second award , the Letter of Commendation With Combat “ V ; " the Purple Heart ; the Presidential Unit Citation with three bronze stars indicative of second through fourth awards ; the American Campaign Medal ; the World War II Victory Medal ; the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia clasp ; the China Service Medal ; the National Defense Service Medal ; the Korean Service Medal with one silver star indicative of five bronze stars ; the United Nations Service Medal ; and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to MAJOR REGINALD R . MYERS 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 as Executive Officer of the Third Battalion , First Marines , First Marine Division ( Reinforced ) , in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on November 29 , 1950 . Assuming command of a composite unit of Army and Marine service and headquarters elements totalling approximately 250 men , during a critical stage in the vital defense of the strategically important military base at Hagaru - ri , Major Myers immediately initiated a determined and aggressive counterattack against a well - entrenched and clearly concealed enemy force numbering an estimated 4 , 000 . Severely handicapped by a lack of trained personnel and experienced leaders in his valiant efforts to regain maximum ground prior to daylight , he persisted in constantly exposing himself to intense , accurate and sustained hostile fire in order to direct and supervise the employment of his men and to encourage and spur them on in pressing the attack . Inexorably moving forward up the steep , snow - covered slope with his depleted group in the face of apparently insurmountable odds , he concurrently directed artillery and mortar fire with superb skill and , although losing 170 of his men during fourteen hours of raging combat in sub - zero temperatures , continued to reorganize his unit and spearhead the attack which resulted in 600 enemy killed and 500 wounded . By his exceptional and valorous leadership throughout , Major Myers contributed directly to the success of his unit in restoring the perimeter . His resolute spirit of self sacrifice and unfaltering devotion to duty enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service . / S / HARRY S . TRUMAN Medal of Honor flag presentation . On August 3 , 2006 , in a ceremony at the Marine Barracks in Washington , D . C . , General Michael Hagee presented the Medal of Honor flag to Myers ' widow .