Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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Korean War - U.S. Army

Junior Dean Edwards

Details
  • Rank: Sergeant First Class
  • Conflict/Era: Korean War
  • Unit/Command:
    Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment,
    2d Infantry Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: January 2, 1951
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Changbong-ni, Korea
Citation
Sfc. Edwards, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon, while assisting in the defense of a strategic hill, was forced out of its position and came under vicious raking fire from an enemy machine gun set up on adjacent high ground, Sfc. Edwards individually charged the hostile emplacement, throwing grenades as he advanced. The enemy withdrew, but returned to deliver devastating fire when he had expended his ammunition. Securing a fresh supply of grenades, he again charged the emplacement, neutralized the weapon, and killed the crew, but was forced back by hostile small-arms fire. When the enemy emplaced another machine gun and resumed fire, Sfc. Edwards again renewed his supply of grenades, rushed a third time through a vicious hail of fire, silenced this second gun, and annihilated its crew. In this third daring assault he was mortally wounded, but his indomitable courage and successful action enabled his platoon to regain and hold the vital strongpoint. Sfc. Edwards' consummate valor and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the utmost glory upon himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the infantry and military service.
Medal of Honor Recipient Junior D. Edwards
Medal of Honor Recipient Junior D. Edwards
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Indianola, Warren County, Iowa
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: January 16, 1952
    The Pentagon, presented by the Sec. of Defense Robert A. Lovett to his Father
  • Born: October 7, 1926, Indianola, Warren County, IA, United States
  • Died: January 2, 1951, Korea
  • Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery (MH) (A), Indianola, IA, United States
 

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