Todays Congressional Medal of Honor quote of the day comes from Colonel Reginald Rodney Myers ( United States Marine Corps, November 26, 1919 – October 23, 2005); he 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. God bless our Corps and country. Semper Fidelis - freedom is not free. 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 Nations highest military decoration by President Harry S. Truman during ceremonies at the White House on October 29, 1951. 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 He also received the following: Legion of Merit Bronze Star Purple Heart Read more quotes in Medal of Honor Quotes: Inspiration from Americas Military Heroes. (Photos and citation information from Wikipedia.) Thanks to the Center for American Values. Note: In the last of the photos shown, the Commandant of the Marine Corps General Hagee presents the Medal of Honor flag to Myers widow, Margaret Myers.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 16:26:02 +0000
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