Medal of Honor: Eugene Arnold Obregon, Korean War, September 26, 1950

Name: Eugene Arnold Obregon
Rank: Private First Class
War: Korean War
Date of Action: September 26, 1950
Unit: Company G, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Accredited to: California

Summary of Action
While carrying ammunition for a machine gun squad during the bitter street fighting in Seoul, Pfc. Obregon saw a fellow Marine collapse in the open under withering enemy fire. Without hesitation, and armed only with his sidearm, he sprinted into the kill zone, firing as he went, and dragged the wounded man to the roadside. Still exposed to fire, he began bandaging his comrade’s wounds when a platoon-sized force advanced on their position. Obregon seized the wounded Marine’s carbine, placed himself between his comrade and the enemy, and poured fire into the attackers. Using his own body as a shield, he fought until he was cut down by machine gun fire. His sacrifice enabled others to rescue the wounded Marine and turn back the assault. Obregon’s gallantry, devotion, and selflessness remain among the most stirring examples of Marine Corps valor.

Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company G, in action against enemy aggressor forces. While serving as an ammunition carrier of a machine gun squad in a marine rifle company which was temporarily pinned down by hostile fire, Pfc. Obregon observed a fellow marine fall wounded in the line of fire. Armed only with a pistol, he unhesitating dashed from his covered position to the side of the casualty. Firing his pistol with 1 hand as he ran, he grasped his comrade by the arm with his other hand and, despite the great peril to himself dragged him to the side of the road. Still under enemy fire, he was bandaging the man’s wounds when hostile troops of approximately platoon strength began advancing toward his position. Quickly seizing the wounded marine’s carbine, he placed his own body as a shield in front of him and lay there firing accurately and effectively into the hostile group until he himself was fatally wounded by enemy machine gun fire. By his courageous fighting spirit, fortitude, and loyal devotion to duty, Pfc. Obregon enabled his fellow marines to rescue the wounded man and aided essentially in repelling the attack, thereby sustaining and enhancing the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.