Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Korean War - U.S. Army
Jack Weinstein
- Rank: Sergeant
- Conflict/Era: Korean War
- Unit/Command:
1st Platoon, Company G, 21st Infantry Regiment,
24th Infantry Division - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: October 19, 1951
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Kumson, Korea
Sergeant Jack Weinstein distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while leading 1st Platoon, Company G, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in Kumsong, Korea on October 19, 1951. That afternoon, thirty enemy troops counterattacked Sergeant Weinstein’s platoon. Most of the platoon’s members had been wounded in the previous action and withdrew under the heavy fire. Sergeant Weinstein, however, remained in his position and continued to fight off the onrushing enemy, killing at least six with his M-1 rifle before running out of ammunition. Although under extremely heavy enemy fire, Sergeant Weinstein refused to withdraw and continued fighting by throwing enemy hand grenades found lying near his position. He again halted the enemy’s progress and inflicted numerous casualties. Alone and unaided, he held the ground which his platoon had fought tenaciously to take and held out against overwhelming odds until another platoon was able to relieve him and drive back the enemy. Sergeant Weinstein’s leg had been broken by an enemy grenade and old wounds suffered in previous battles had reopened, but he refused to withdraw and successfully bought time for his wounded comrades to reach friendly lines. Sergeant Weinstein’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
- Accredited to: Lamar, Barton County, Missouri
- Awarded Posthumously: Yes
- Presentation Date & Details: March 18, 2014
The White House to his widow by President Barack Obama
- Born: October 18, 1928, Cheyenne County, KS, United States
- Died: April 20, 2006, Saint Francis, KS, United States
- Buried: Cheyenne Valley Cemetery, Wheeler, KS, United States