Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Korean War - U.S. Marine Corps
Robert Dale Reem
Details
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Conflict/Era: Korean War
- Unit/Command:
Company H, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines,
1st Marine Division (Rein) - Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
- Medal of Honor Action Date: November 6, 1950
- Medal of Honor Action Place: vicinity of Chinhung-ni, Korea
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon commander in Company H, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Grimly determined to dislodge a group of heavy enemy infantry units occupying well-concealed and strongly fortified positions on commanding ground overlooking unprotected terrain, 2d Lt. Reem moved slowly forward up the side of the ridge with his platoon in the face of a veritable hail of shattering hostile machine-gun, grenade, and rifle fire. Three times repulsed by a resolute enemy force in achieving his objective, and pinned down by the continuing fury of hostile fire, he rallied and regrouped the heroic men in his depleted and disorganized platoon in preparation for a fourth attack. Issuing last-minute orders to his non-commissioned officers when an enemy grenade landed in a depression of the rocky ground in which the group was standing, 2d Lt. Reem unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and, springing upon the deadly missile, absorbed the full impact of the explosion in his body, thus protecting others from serious injury and possible death. Stouthearted and indomitable, he readily yielded his own chance of survival that his subordinate leaders might live to carry on the fight against a fanatic enemy. His superb courage, cool decisiveness, and valilant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon 2d Lt. Reem and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
- Awarded Posthumously: Yes
- Presentation Date & Details: February 8, 1952
The Pentagon, presented by Under Sec. of the Navy Francis P. Whitehair to his Widow - Born: October 20, 1925, Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA, United States
- Died: November 6, 1950, Chinhung-ni, Korea
- Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (6-9376-B), Arlington, VA, United States
- Location of Medal: U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD