David B . Champagne Corporal David Bernard Champagne ( November 13 , 1932 – May 28 , 1952 ) was the 29th U . S . Marine to receive the Medal of Honor during the Korean War , at the sacrifice of his life . Biography . Champagne attended public schools in Wakefield , Rhode Island and worked at the local community theatre prior to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on March 7 , 1951 in Boston , Massachusetts . He received recruit training at Parris Island , South Carolina , and then was stationed at Camp Pendleton , California . After being transferred to the 1st Marine Division in Korea , he participated in three campaigns before being mortally wounded . On May 28 , 1952 , Corporal Champagne , a fire team leader , advanced with his platoon in the initial assault on a strongly fortified and heavily defended enemy hill position . He successfully led his team through enemy grenade , small - arms , and machine gun fire to the crest of the hill . Although wounded in the encounter , he refused evacuation . The enemy counterattack intensified and a grenade landed in the midst of Champagne ' s team . Without hesitation , he seized the grenade and threw it at the enemy . It exploded as it left his hand and hurled him out of the trench . While thus exposed to enemy mortar fire , he was mortally wounded . In addition to the Medal of Honor , Champagne was awarded posthumous ly the Purple Heart . He was also entitled to the National Defense Service Medal , the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars , and the United Nations Service Medal . Corporal Champagne ' s Medal of Honor was presented to his 15 - year - old brother by General R . H . Ridgely , Jr . , during presentation ceremonies held at the Old Mountain Baseball Field in Wakefield , in July 1953 . Awards and decorations . Cpl Champagne ' s awards include : 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 CORPORAL DAVID B . CHAMPAGNE 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 Fire Team Leader of Company A , First Battalion , Seventh Marines , First Marine Division ( Reinforced ) , in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on May 28 , 1952 . Advancing with his platoon in the initial assault of the company against a strongly fortified and heavily defended hill position , Corporal Champagne skillfully led his fire team through a veritable hail of intense enemy machine - gun , small - arms and grenade fire , overrunning trenches and a series of almost impregnable bunker positions before reaching the crest of the hill and placing his men in defensive positions . Suffering a painful leg wound while assisting in repelling the ensuing hostile counterattack , which was launched under cover of a murderous hail of mortar and artillery fire , he steadfastly refused evacuation and fearlessly continued to control his fire team . When the enemy counterattack increased in intensity , and a hostile grenade landed in the midst of the fire team , Corporal Champagne unhesitatingly seized the deadly missile and hurled it in the direction of the approaching enemy . As the grenade left his hand , it exploded , blowing off his hand and throwing him out of the trench . Mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire while in this exposed position , Corporal Champagne , by his valiant leadership , fortitude and gallant spirit of self - sacrifice in the face of almost certain death , undoubtedly saved the lives of several of his fellow Marines . His heroic actions served to inspire all who observed him and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / DWIGHT D . EISENHOWER