Medal of Honor: Robert M. McGovern – Korean War – Korea – January 1951

Name: Robert M. McGovern
Rank: First Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Place: Near Kamyangjan-ni, Korea
Entered Service At: Washington, D.C.
Born: Washington, D.C.

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Summary of Action

On 30 January 1951, First Lieutenant Robert M. McGovern led his platoon in an assault against well-entrenched enemy forces occupying bunker-type pillboxes connected by trenches near Kamyangjan-ni, Korea. As his men advanced up a rocky slope, they were met by devastating machine-gun and rifle fire from the crest of the hill. Lieutenant McGovern was wounded in the opening burst, but he refused evacuation, reassured his platoon, and urged them forward.

Despite intense fire, he pressed the attack to within a few yards of the enemy positions when the advance was stopped by a barrage of hand grenades rolled down upon his men. Casualties mounted and morale wavered. Recognizing the critical moment, Lieutenant McGovern hurled several grenades back toward the enemy before they could explode, then—ignoring his wounds and weakening condition—charged directly at a machine-gun emplacement delivering deadly flanking fire.

At less than ten yards from the position, enemy fire tore the carbine from his hands. Undeterred, Lieutenant McGovern continued his one-man assault, firing his pistol and throwing grenades into the emplacement. He killed seven enemy soldiers and silenced the gun before being mortally wounded directly in front of the position.

Inspired by his fearless example, his platoon fixed bayonets and surged forward, overrunning the hill and routing the enemy. Lieutenant McGovern’s sacrifice transformed a stalled assault into victory and secured the objective at the cost of his life.

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Medal of Honor Citation

1st Lt. McGovern, a member of Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. As 1st Lt. McGovern led his platoon up a slope to engage hostile troops emplaced in bunker-type pillboxes with connecting trenches, the unit came under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from the crest of the hill, approximately 75 yards distant. Despite a wound sustained in this initial burst of withering fire, 1st Lt. McGovern assured the men of his ability to continue on and urged them forward.

Forging up the rocky incline, he fearlessly led the platoon to within several yards of its objective when the ruthless foe threw and rolled a vicious barrage of hand grenades on the group and halted the advance. Enemy fire increased in volume and intensity and 1st Lt. McGovern, realizing that casualties were rapidly increasing and the morale of his men badly shaken, hurled back several grenades before they exploded.

Then, disregarding his painful wound and weakened condition, he charged a machine-gun emplacement which was raking his position with flanking fire. When he was within 10 yards of the position a burst of fire ripped the carbine from his hands, but, undaunted, he continued his lone-man assault and, firing his pistol and throwing grenades, killed 7 hostile soldiers before falling mortally wounded in front of the gun he had silenced. 1st Lt. McGovern’s incredible display of valor imbued his men with indomitable resolution to avenge his death. Fixing bayonets and throwing grenades, they charged with such ferocity that hostile positions were overrun and the enemy routed from the hill. The inspirational leadership, unflinching courage, and intrepid actions of 1st Lt. McGovern reflected utmost glory on himself and the honored tradition of the military services.