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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Corporal Charles Gene Abrell, USMC
Marine Corporal Charles Gene Abrell, 19, of Terre Haute, Indiana, won the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life while leading an assault on enemy positions.
The nations highest decoration for valor was awarded to the youthful Marine for extraordinary heroism on 10 June 1951 at Hangnyong, where he hurled himself bodily into an enemy bunker with a live hand grenade, killing himself and the enemy gun crew in the explosion.
Corporal Abrell was the 14th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for Korean fighting. Born 12 August 1931 at Terre Haute, he attended public schools in Las Vegas, Nevada, before enlisting in the Marine Corps 17 August 1948 at the age of 17.
Following recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and also served aboard the USS Noble before going to Korea with the First Marine Division.
He was in action at Inchon, Seoul, Wonsan, Chosin Reservoir, and Hanghum before the assault on a hill near Hwachon in which he was killed.
Corporal Abrell also was awarded the Letter of Commendation with Commendation ribbon with Combat V, the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe clasp, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Hangnyong, Korea, 10 June 1951. Entered service at: Terre Haute, Ind. Born: 12 August 1931, Terre Haute, Ind. 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 in Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces. While advancing with his platoon in an attack against well-concealed and heavily fortified enemy hill positions, Cpl. Abrell voluntarily rushed forward through the assaulting squad which was pinned down by a hail of intense and accurate automatic-weapons fire from a hostile bunker situated on commanding ground. Although previously wounded by enemy hand grenade fragments, he proceeded to carry out a bold, single-handed attack against the bunker, exhorting his comrades to follow him. Sustaining 2 additional wounds as he stormed toward the emplacement, he resolutely pulled the pin from a grenade clutched in his hand and hurled himself bodily into the bunker with the live missile still in his grasp. Fatally wounded in the resulting explosion which killed the entire enemy gun crew within the stronghold, Cpl. Abrell, by his valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, served to inspire all his comrades and contributed directly to the success of his platoon in attaining its objective. His superb courage and heroic initiative sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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