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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Private First Class Stanley R. Christianson
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
STANLEY R. CHRISTIANSON, USMC
(DECEASED)
Korean War 1950-1953
Medal of Honor Recipient
Marine Private First Class Stanley R. Christianson of Mindoro, Wisconsin, earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for giving his life in a one-man stand against a ferocious attack which threatened to destroy his platoon in Korea on 29 September 1950.
The Nations highest tribute for gallantry was presented posthumously on 30 August at 11:00 A.M., to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Christianson of Mindoro, by Secretary of the Navy Kimball in Washington, D.C.
The Medal of Honor was Private First Class Christiansons second decoration in 16 days of fighting in Korea. Just 11 days before he was killed, he won the Bronze Star Medal for another act of valor.
The 25-year-old Leatherneck, a veteran of almost eight years in the Marine Corps, also had been awarded the Letter of Commendation for meritorious service in the Pacific during World War II.
The citation accompanying the Medal of Honor reads:
For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Hill 132, Seoul, Korea, in the early morning hours of 29 September 1950.
Manning one of the several listening posts covering approaches to the platoon area when the enemy commenced the attack, Private First Class Christianson quickly sent another Marine to alert the rest of the platoon. Without orders, he remained in his position and, with full knowledge that he would have slight chance of escape, fired relentlessly at oncoming hostile troops attacking furiously with rifles, automatic weapons and incendiary grenades.
Accounting for seven enemy dead in the immediate vicinity before his position was overrun and he himself fatally struck down, Private First Class Christianson, by his superb courage, valiant fighting spirit and devotion to duty, was responsible for allowing the rest of the platoon time to man positions, build up a stronger defense on that flank and repel the attack with 41 of the enemy destroyed, many more wounded and three taken prisoner.
His self-sacrificing actions in the face of overwhelming odds sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Private First Class Christianson gallantly gave his life for his country.
Born 24 January 1925, in Mindoro, Private First Class Christianson attended school in LaCrosse County, Wisconsin, and farmed for a time before enlisting in the Marine Corps on 2 October 1942, at the age of 17.
Following recruit training at San Diego, California, Private First Class Christianson took advanced training with the Second Marine Division and went overseas with that outfit. He fought at Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa, and served with the occupation forces in Japan.
Discharged in December 1945, Private First Class Christianson reenlisted in the regular Marine Corps three months later. He served at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida; as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina; at the Naval Ammunition Depot, Hastings, Nebraska; at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York; and at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before going overseas to Korea with the First Marine Division in August 1950.
After participating in the Inchon landing, he earned the Bronze Star Medal on 18 September 1950. The citation said Private First Class Christianson, acting as an automatic rifleman during an assault, fearlessly and courageously exposed himself to find the exact location of the enemy.
After locating the enemy positions he returned their fire and directed the fire of the remainder of his unit on the enemy. This action was instrumental in keeping the enemy from enveloping to the rear of his unit, and the heavy fire that he delivered materially aided in causing the enemy to withdraw and allowing his company to continue the assault.
Private First Class Christiansons initiative and courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Eleven days later Private First Class Christianson was killed.
Besides the Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star Medal and the Letter of Commendation, Private First Class Christianson held the following decorations:
Purple Heart Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with two Bronze Stars; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia and Europe clasps; and the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars.
Three sisters and a brother accompanied Private First Class Christiansons parents to the presentation ceremonies in Washington. They are Mr. and Mrs. Simon Christianson, Mindoro, Wisconsin (parents); Mrs. Margaret Hansen, West Salem, Wisconsin, (sister); Mrs. Anna Marie Gilbertson, West Salem, Wisconsin, (sister); Mrs. Hazel Christianson, Bangor, Wisconsin, (sister); and Martin Christianson, West Salem, Wisconsin, (brother).
*CHRISTIANSON, STANLEY R.
Rank: Private First Class Organization: U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced). Place and date: Seoul, Korea, Sept. 29, 1950. Entered service at: Mindoro, Wis. Born: 1925, Mindoro, Wis.
 Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Hill 132, Seoul, Korea, in the early morning hours of 29 September 1950. Manning one of the several listening posts covering approaches to the platoon area when the enemy commenced the attack, Private First Class Christianson quickly sent another Marine to alert the rest of the platoon. Without orders, he remained in his position and, with full knowledge that he would have slight chance of escape, fired relentlessly at oncoming hostile troops attacking furiously with rifles, automatic weapons and incendiary grenades. Accounting for seven enemy dead in the immediate vicinity before his position was overrun and he himself fatally struck down, Private First Class Christianson, by his superb courage, valiant fighting spirit and devotion to duty, was responsible for allowing the rest of the platoon time to man positions, build up a stronger defense on that flank and repel the attack with 41 of the enemy destroyed, and many more wounded and three taken prisoner. His self-sacrificing actions in the face of overwhelming odds sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Private First Class Christianson gallantly gave his life for his country.
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