Medal of Honor: Jack William Kelso, Korean War, October 2, 1952

Name: Jack William Kelso
Rank: Private First Class
War: Korean War
Date of Action: October 2, 1952
Unit: Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Accredited to: Caruthers, California

Summary of Action
In the night fighting of October 2, 1952, Kelso’s platoon was under ferocious attack by a numerically superior enemy force. When both the platoon commander and platoon sergeant fell, Kelso stepped into the chaos, exposing himself to fire to rally his fellow Marines. Forced into a nearby bunker with four others as grenades and small-arms fire rained down, he acted instantly when an enemy grenade rolled inside—seizing it and hurling it back. The blast wounded him, but he pressed on. Refusing the protection of the bunker, Kelso crawled out into the fire-swept ground, returning fire so his comrades could escape. Mortally wounded in this final act, his courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty saved lives and inspired all who saw him.

Medal of Honor Citation
KELSO, JACK WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea, 2 October 1952. Entered service at: Caruthers, Calif. Born: 23 January 1934, Madera, Calif. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman of Company I, in action against enemy aggressor forces. When both the platoon commander and the platoon sergeant became casualties during the defense of a vital outpost against a numerically superior enemy force attacking at night under cover of intense small-arms, grenade, and mortar fire, Pfc. Kelso bravely exposed himself to the hail of enemy fire in a determined effort to reorganize the unit and to repel the onrushing attackers. Forced to seek cover, along with 4 other marines, in a nearby bunker which immediately came under attack, he unhesitatingly picked up an enemy grenade which landed in the shelter, rushed out into the open and hurled it back at the enemy. Although painfully wounded when the grenade exploded as it left his hand, and again forced to seek the protection of the bunker when the hostile fire became more intensified Pfc. Kelso refused to remain in his position of comparative safety and moved out into the fire-swept area to return the enemy fire, thereby permitting the pinned-down marines in the bunker to escape. Mortally wounded while providing covering fire for his comrades, Pfc. Kelso, by his valiant fighting spirit, aggressive determination, and self-sacrificing efforts in behalf of others, served to inspire all who observed him. His heroic actions sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.