Medal of Honor: Don C. Faith Jr. – Korean War – November 27 to December 1, 1950

Name: Don Carlos Faith Jr.
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Place and Date: Vicinity of Hagaru-ri, Northern Korea – 27 November to 1 December 1950
Entered Service At: Washington, Indiana
Born: August 26, 1918 – Washington, Indiana
Departed: December 1, 1950 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Indiana

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Summary of Action

From November 27 to December 1, 1950, during the desperate fighting around the Chosin Reservoir, Lieutenant Colonel Don C. Faith Jr. faced relentless enemy assaults that threatened the destruction of his battalion. When Chinese forces launched a fanatical attack, he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy fire, moving among his men to direct their defense and personally leading counterattacks to restore broken positions.

As the battalion later attempted to break out and link up with friendly forces, Faith reconnoitered the hazardous route across the ice-covered reservoir himself, guided the first elements across, and oversaw the painful movement of vehicles loaded with wounded under enemy fire. Only after every man and every vehicle had crossed did he follow.

Despite the bitter cold and physical exhaustion, he then assumed command of a combined force and led an attack to continue the breakout. When enemy fire halted the column, Faith ran forward through small-arms and automatic weapons fire, rallied the men, and personally led a renewed assault that blasted a path through the encirclement.

At a deadly hairpin turn blocked by an enemy roadblock, Faith again organized his soldiers and directed an attack on the flank. Then, placing himself at the head of another group, he charged directly into the roadblock, firing his pistol and throwing grenades. Only thirty yards from the position, he was mortally wounded — yet continued to command until the obstacle was overrun.

For five days he fought without rest, without regard for his own safety, always in the most dangerous place, driving his men forward by courage alone.

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Medal of Honor Citation

Lt. Col. Faith, commanding 1st Battalion, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in the area of the Chosin Reservoir. When the enemy launched a fanatical attack against his battalion, Lt. Col. Faith unhesitatingly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he moved about directing the action. When the enemy penetrated the positions, Lt. Col. Faith personally led counterattacks to restore the position. During an attack by his battalion to effect a junction with another U.S. unit, Lt. Col. Faith reconnoitered the route for, and personally directed, the first elements of his command across the ice-covered reservoir and then directed the movement of his vehicles which were loaded with wounded until all of his command had passed through the enemy fire. Having completed this he crossed the reservoir himself. Assuming command of the force his unit had joined he was given the mission of attacking to join friendly elements to the south. Lt. Col. Faith, although physically exhausted in the bitter cold, organized and launched an attack which was soon stopped by enemy fire. He ran forward under enemy small-arms and automatic weapons fire, got his men on their feet and personally led the fire attack as it blasted its way through the enemy ring. As they came to a hairpin curve, enemy fire from a roadblock again pinned the column down. Lt. Col. Faith organized a group of men and directed their attack on the enemy positions on the right flank. He then placed himself at the head of another group of men and in the face of direct enemy fire led an attack on the enemy roadblock, firing his pistol and throwing grenades. When he had reached a position approximately 30 yards from the roadblock he was mortally wounded, but continued to direct the attack until the roadblock was overrun. Throughout the 5 days of action Lt. Col. Faith gave no thought to his safety and did not spare himself. His presence each time in the position of greatest danger was an inspiration to his men. Also, the damage he personally inflicted firing from his position at the head of his men was of material assistance on several occasions. Lt. Col. Faith’s outstanding gallantry and noble self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty reflect the highest honor on him and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.