Medal of Honor: Bruno Raymond Orig – Korean War – February 15, 1951

Name: Bruno Raymond Orig

Rank: Private

Branch: United States Army

War: Korean War

Unit: Company G, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division

Date of Action: February 15, 1951

Location: Vicinity of Chipyong-ni, Republic of Korea

Summary of Action

In February 1951, the small village of Chipyong-ni became the site of one of the most decisive battles of the Korean War. Surrounded by elements of several Chinese Communist divisions, American and French forces of the 23rd Infantry Regiment fought a desperate defense that would ultimately prove the Chinese offensives could be stopped.

Throughout the battle, enemy forces launched repeated assaults against the United Nations perimeter, often attacking in overwhelming numbers during the darkness and pressing dangerously close to friendly positions.

On February 15, Private Bruno Raymond Orig was returning from a wire-laying mission when he encountered the aftermath of one such ferocious enemy attack. Several of his fellow soldiers lay wounded in exposed positions while enemy fire continued to sweep the battlefield.

Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Orig moved directly into the open to render first aid to the wounded.

Working under enemy fire, he treated the injured men and, assisted by several comrades from the company command post, began carrying them to safety. Time after time, he crossed the fire-swept ground to evacuate casualties, refusing to abandon those who could not help themselves.

While returning from one of these rescue missions, Orig discovered that a machine-gun crew defending the perimeter had been almost completely destroyed. All but one member of the crew had been wounded, leaving a critical sector of the defense vulnerable to enemy attack.

Recognizing the danger immediately, Private Orig volunteered to man the weapon.

Taking his place behind the machine gun, he opened devastating fire on the advancing enemy. His accurate and determined fire proved critical at a pivotal moment of the battle.

Under his protection, a friendly platoon was able to withdraw to safer positions without suffering a single casualty.

Private Orig continued firing despite the increasingly desperate situation around him. Wave after wave of enemy soldiers advanced toward the American positions, only to be met by the deadly stream of fire from his machine gun.

Eventually, the sheer weight of enemy numbers overran Company G's defensive positions.

Private Orig never abandoned his post.

Later that day, American forces counterattacked and recaptured the lost ground. There they found Private Bruno Raymond Orig lying beside his machine gun, having fought to the very end.

The area before his position was littered with enemy dead—a silent testament to the ferocity of his final stand and the lives his sacrifice had undoubtedly saved.

Private Bruno Raymond Orig had begun the day laying communications wire. By the time the battle was over, he had become a medic, a rescuer, and finally the lone defender of a machine-gun position that helped preserve the lives of his fellow soldiers during one of the Korean War's most significant engagements.

Medal of Honor Citation

BRUNO RAYMOND ORIG

Rank and organization: Private, United States Army.

Unit: Company G, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

Place and date: Vicinity of Chipyong-ni, Korea, February 15, 1951.

Citation:

Private Bruno R. Orig distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company G, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in the vicinity of Chipyong-ni, Korea, on February 15, 1951.

While returning from a wire laying mission, Private Orig observed a number of his comrades who had been wounded in a fierce enemy attack that was still in progress. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private Orig went to the aid of these men and remained in an exposed position in order to administer first aid to them.

With the assistance of several comrades from the company command post, Private Orig began removing the wounded to a place of safety.

While returning from one of these trips, Private Orig noticed that all except one man of a machine-gun crew had been wounded. Without hesitation, he volunteered to man the weapon.

Remaining in this position, Private Orig placed such effective fire on the enemy that a withdrawing friendly platoon was able to move back without a single casualty.

Private Orig continued to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy until the company positions were overrun.

Later that day, when the lost ground was recaptured, Private Orig was found dead beside his weapon and the area in front of his gun was littered with enemy dead.

Private Orig's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.