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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Sgt. Frederick W. Mausert III, USMC
Marine Sergeant Frederick W. Mausert III, 21, of Dresher, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland, earned the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life after repeated acts of heroism.
The nations highest decoration for valor was awarded the youthful Marine for extraordinary heroism on 12 September 1951, at Songnap-yong, where he was killed while leading an assault on enemy positions.
Sergeant Mausert was the 20th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for Korean fighting. Born 2 May 1930 at Cambridge, New York, he lived at Dresher, Pennsylvania, before his enlistment in the Marine Corps 21 June 1948. He was employed by Glenside Hardware, Glenside, Pennsylvania.
Sergeant Mausert attended high school at Monson, Massachusetts, where he played baseball, track, and basketball, and he went to elementary school in Brooklyn, New York.
Following recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was stationed at Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before going to Korea, where he participated in campaigns in South and Central Korea.
His mother, Mrs. Wentworth H. Barnes, lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Sergeant Mausert has been awarded the Purple Heart, gold star in lieu of a second Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, and the United Nations Service Medal.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) Place and date: Songnap-yong, Korea, 12 September 1951. Entered service at: Dresher, Pa. Born: 2 May 1930, Cambridge, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader in Company B, in action against enemy aggressor forces. With his company pinned down and suffering heavy casualties under murderous machine gun, rifle, artillery, and mortar fire laid down from heavily fortified, deeply entrenched hostile strongholds on Hill 673, Sgt. Mausert unhesitatingly left his covered position and ran through a heavily mined and fire-swept area to bring back 2 critically wounded men to the comparative safety of the lines. Staunchly refusing evacuation despite a painful head wound sustained during his voluntary act, he insisted on remaining with his squad and, with his platoon ordered into the assault moments later, took the point position and led his men in a furious bayonet charge against the first of a literally impregnable series of bunkers. Stunned and knocked to the ground when another bullet struck his helmet, he regained his feet and resumed his drive, personally silencing the machine gun and leading his men in eliminating several other emplacements in the area. Promptly reorganizing his unit for a renewed fight to the final objective on top of the ridge, Sgt. Mausert boldly left his position when the enemy's fire gained momentum and, making a target of himself, boldly advanced alone into the face of the machine gun, drawing the fire away from his men and enabling them to move into position to assault. Again severely wounded when the enemy's fire found its mark, he still refused aid and continued spearheading the assault to the topmost machine gun nest and bunkers, the last bulwark of the fanatic aggressors. Leaping into the wall of fire, he destroyed another machine gun with grenades before he was mortally wounded by bursting grenades and machine gun fire. Stouthearted and indomitable, Sgt. Mausert, by his fortitude, great personal valor, and extraordinary heroism in the face of almost certain death, had inspired his men to sweep on, overrun and finally secure the objective. His unyielding courage throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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