Medal of Honor: Joe R. Baldonado – Korean War – November 15, 1950
On a cold Korean hillside, one young paratrooper stood alone at his gun, holding back an entire enemy assault. Corporal Joe R. Baldonado fought until his last breath — and saved his platoon from being overrun.
November 15, 2025
Name: Joe R. Baldonado
Rank: Corporal
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment
Place and Date: Kangdong, Korea – November 15, 1950
Entered Service At: Santa Clara, California
Born: August 28, 1930 – Colorado
Departed: Killed in Action, November 25, 1950 (Remains not recovered)
Accredited to: California
Summary of Action
In mid-November 1950, Corporal Joe R. Baldonado and the paratroopers of the 187th Airborne were dug in on Hill 171 near Kangdong, Korea — a barren rise that commanded the surrounding terrain and was critical to holding the line. When enemy forces launched a fierce nighttime assault, they focused their fire on Baldonado’s exposed machine-gun position, knowing it was the key to breaking through.
Baldonado fought back with ferocity, cutting down wave after wave of attacking troops despite being the primary target of concentrated rifle, machine-gun, and grenade fire. Each time the enemy regrouped and surged forward, Baldonado held his ground, his weapon the anchor of the platoon’s defense.
As the enemy prepared a final, desperate charge, a grenade landed beside his gun. Baldonado never faltered — he stayed at his position until the explosion killed him instantly. His final stand broke the momentum of the attack and prevented his platoon from being overrun.
Corporal Baldonado died where he fought: behind his gun, defending his brothers to the very last moment.
Medal of Honor Citation
