Medal of Honor: Richard T. Shea, Jr. – Korean War – July 6–8, 1953

Name: Richard T. Shea, Jr.
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Korean War
Unit: Company A, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Date of Action: July 6–8, 1953
Location: Near Sokkogae, Korea

Summary of Action

From 6 to 8 July 1953, First Lieutenant Richard T. Shea, Jr., executive officer of Company A, 17th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself during some of the fiercest fighting of the closing weeks of the Korean War.

On the night of 6 July, while supervising the reinforcement of defensive positions near Sokkogae, overwhelming enemy forces launched a major attack against the American lines.

Recognizing the most threatened sector, Shea voluntarily moved into the heart of the battle.

Personally organizing a counterattack, he led his soldiers directly into the enemy.

During the savage close-range fighting, he killed two enemy soldiers with his trench knife.

Throughout the night, Shea moved calmly along the defensive line, checking positions, encouraging exhausted soldiers, and fighting beside them as repeated enemy assaults battered the perimeter.

At dawn, when the enemy launched an all-out effort to overrun the American defenses, Shea once again led a determined counterattack that drove the attackers back.

The following afternoon, elements of Company G joined the defense after suffering heavy casualties among their leaders.

Without hesitation, Shea integrated the new arrivals into his command, organized approximately twenty men, and immediately led another assault against the enemy.

During the attack he was wounded but refused evacuation.

When intense machine-gun fire halted the advance, Shea charged the enemy position alone.

Firing his carbine and throwing grenades with deadly accuracy, he destroyed the machine-gun emplacement and killed three enemy soldiers, allowing the attack to continue.

Throughout the night and into the following morning, he directed the defense through his personal example and determined leadership.

On 8 July, enemy forces attacked once more.

Although suffering additional wounds, Shea again led a counterattack into the advancing enemy.

He was last seen engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat.

His body was never recovered.

First Lieutenant Richard T. Shea, Jr.'s extraordinary courage, inspirational leadership, and unwavering devotion to his soldiers reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

SHEA, RICHARD T., JR.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company A, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Sokkogae, Korea, 6–8 July 1953.

Entered service at: Portsmouth, Virginia.

Born: 3 January 1927, Portsmouth, Virginia.

G.O. No.: 38, 8 June 1955.

Citation:

First Lieutenant Shea, executive officer of Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy.

On the night of 6 July, he was supervising the reinforcement of defensive positions when the enemy attacked with great numerical superiority.

Voluntarily proceeding to the area most threatened, he organized and led a counterattack and, in the bitter fighting which ensued, closed with and killed two hostile soldiers with his trench knife.

Calmly moving among the men, checking positions, steadying and urging the troops to hold firm, he fought side by side with them throughout the night.

Despite heavy losses, the hostile force pressed the assault with determination and, at dawn, made an all-out attempt to overrun friendly elements.

Charging forward to meet the challenge, First Lieutenant Shea and his gallant men drove back the hostile troops.

Elements of Company G joined the defense on the afternoon of 7 July, having lost key personnel through casualties.

Immediately integrating these troops into his unit, First Lieutenant Shea rallied a group of twenty men and again charged the enemy.

Although wounded in this action, he refused evacuation and continued to lead the counterattack.

When the assaulting element was pinned down by heavy machine-gun fire, he personally rushed the emplacement and, firing his carbine and lobbing grenades with deadly accuracy, neutralized the weapon and killed three of the enemy.

With forceful leadership and by his heroic example, First Lieutenant Shea coordinated and directed a holding action throughout the night and the following morning.

On 8 July, the enemy attacked again.

Despite additional wounds, he launched a determined counterattack and was last seen in close hand-to-hand combat with the enemy.

First Lieutenant Shea's inspirational leadership and unflinching courage set an illustrious example of valor to the men of his regiment, reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the noble traditions of the military service.