Medal of Honor: Jack G. Hanson - Korean War - June 7, 1951
In Korea, one machine gunner stayed behind alone as enemy troops overran the position. Hours later, he was found with empty weapons, a bloodied machete, and more than twenty enemy dead before him.
June 9, 2026
Name: Jack G. Hanson
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Korean War
Unit: Company F, 31st Infantry Regiment
Date of Action: June 7, 1951
Location: Near Pachi-dong, Korea
Summary of Action
On 7 June 1951, during fierce fighting near Pachi-dong, Korea, Private First Class Jack G. Hanson displayed extraordinary heroism while serving as a machine gunner with the 1st Platoon of Company F, 31st Infantry Regiment.
Before dawn, at approximately 3:00 a.m., the company's defensive positions on two strategically important hills came under a determined assault by a numerically superior enemy force. The main attack centered on the broad saddle separating the hills, directly within the field of fire covered by Hanson's machine gun.
As the battle intensified, four riflemen were wounded and evacuated while enemy troops, using the darkness as concealment, infiltrated dangerously close to the American command post and weapons platoon.
When orders were given to reposition to more favorable terrain overlooking the threatened area, Hanson was instructed to withdraw with the others.
Instead, he voluntarily remained behind to provide covering fire for his comrades.
His machine gun poured devastating fire into the advancing enemy, allowing the rest of the platoon to disengage and establish new defensive positions. During the withdrawal, Hanson's assistant gunner and three nearby riflemen were wounded but managed to crawl to safety, leaving him alone to face the enemy.
For hours, Hanson continued a solitary defense against repeated assaults.
When the 1st Platoon reorganized and launched a counterattack at approximately 5:30 a.m., they successfully regained their original positions.
There they discovered the full measure of Hanson's sacrifice.
His body lay just in front of his machine-gun emplacement.
Every belt of machine-gun ammunition had been expended.
His pistol was empty in his right hand.
A machete stained with blood remained gripped in his left.
Scattered before his position were approximately twenty-two enemy dead, silent testimony to the ferocity of his final stand.
By willingly sacrificing himself to protect the withdrawal of his comrades and hold the enemy at bay, Private First Class Jack G. Hanson enabled his company to contain the attack and ultimately recapture the commanding ground. His extraordinary courage, unwavering determination, and devotion to duty reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.
Medal of Honor Citation
HANSON, JACK G.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company F, 31st Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: Near Pachi-dong, Korea, 7 June 1951.
Entered service at: Galveston, Tex.
Born: 18 September 1930, Escatawpa, Miss.
G.O. No.: 15, 1 February 1952.
Citation:
Pfc. Hanson, a machine gunner with the 1st Platoon, Company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. The company, in defensive positions on two strategic hills separated by a wide saddle, was ruthlessly attacked at approximately 0300 hours, the brunt of which centered on the approach to the divide within range of Pfc. Hanson's machine gun. In the initial phase of the action, four riflemen were wounded and evacuated and the numerically superior enemy, advancing under cover of darkness, infiltrated and posed an imminent threat to the security of the command post and weapons platoon. Upon orders to move to key terrain above and to the right of Pfc. Hanson's position, he voluntarily remained to provide protective fire for the withdrawal. Subsequent to the retiring elements fighting a rearguard action to the new location, it was learned that Pfc. Hanson's assistant gunner and three riflemen had been wounded and had crawled to safety, and that he was maintaining a lone-man defense. After the 1st Platoon reorganized, counterattacked, and resecured its original positions at approximately 0530 hours, Pfc. Hanson's body was found lying in front of his emplacement, his machine-gun ammunition expended, his empty pistol in his right hand, and a machete with blood on the blade in his left hand, and approximately 22 enemy dead lay in the wake of his action. Pfc. Hanson's consummate valor, inspirational conduct, and willing self-sacrifice enabled the company to contain the enemy and regain the commanding ground, and reflect lasting glory on himself and the noble traditions of the military service.
