Medal of Honor: Samuel S. Coursen, Korean War, October 12, 1950

Name: Samuel S. Coursen
Rank: First Lieutenant
War: Korean War
Date of Action: October 12, 1950
Unit: Company C, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Born: August 4, 1926 – Madison, New Jersey
Entered Service At: Madison, New Jersey

Summary of Action
In the bitter autumn fighting near Kaesong, Korea, First Lieutenant Samuel S. Coursen led his men in an assault on Hill 174 — a rugged, enemy-held height pouring out deadly small-arms fire. As his platoon advanced, one of his soldiers was suddenly wounded by fire from a hidden enemy position. Without hesitation, Coursen sprinted forward through the chaos to pull his man to safety.
What happened next would become legend within his regiment. Realizing the enemy were concealed inside a camouflaged emplacement, Coursen stormed in alone, engaging the defenders in brutal hand-to-hand combat. When the hill was finally taken and his body recovered, seven enemy soldiers lay dead around him — several with their skulls crushed by the butt of his rifle. His sacrifice had saved the wounded soldier’s life and shattered the heart of the enemy defense that had stalled his company’s attack.

Medal of Honor Citation
COURSEN, SAMUEL S.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company C, 5th Cavalry Regiment. Place and date: Near Kaesong, Korea, 12 October 1950. Entered service at: Madison, N.J. Born: 4 August 1926, Madison, N.J. G.O. No.: 57, 2 August 1951.
Citation: 1st Lt. Coursen distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. While Company C was attacking Hill 174 under heavy enemy small-arms fire, his platoon received enemy fire from close range. The platoon returned the fire and continued to advance. During this phase, one of his men moved into a well-camouflaged emplacement, which was thought to be unoccupied, and was wounded by the enemy who were hidden within the emplacement. Seeing the soldier in difficulty, he rushed to the man’s aid and, without regard for his personal safety, engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat in an effort to protect his wounded comrade until he himself was killed. When his body was recovered after the battle, seven enemy dead were found in the emplacement. As the result of 1st Lt. Coursen’s violent struggle several of the enemies’ heads had been crushed with his rifle. His aggressive and intrepid actions saved the life of the wounded man, eliminated the main position of the enemy roadblock, and greatly inspired the men in his command. 1st Lt. Coursen’s extraordinary heroism and intrepidity reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.