Medal of Honor: William R. Charette – Korean War – March 27, 1953

Name: William R. Charette
Rank: Hospital Corpsman Third Class
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: Korean War
Unit: U.S. Navy Medical Corpsman serving with a Marine rifle company
Date of Action: March 27, 1953
Location: Korea

Summary of Action

During the early morning hours of 27 March 1953, Hospital Corpsman Third Class William R. Charette was serving with a Marine rifle company defending a bitterly contested outpost far forward of the main line of resistance in Korea.

A concealed and well-entrenched enemy force launched a fierce attack, covering the position with heavy small-arms and mortar fire.

Amid the chaos, Charette repeatedly moved through the kill zone to reach wounded Marines.

Ignoring the danger, he treated casualties wherever they fell.

While caring for one wounded Marine, an enemy grenade landed only a few feet away.

Without hesitation, Charette threw himself across the stricken man and absorbed the full concussion of the blast.

The explosion wounded his face, tore away his helmet, and ripped his medical aid kit from him.

Though dazed and injured, he improvised bandages by tearing pieces from his own clothing and immediately resumed treating the wounded.

Seeing another badly wounded Marine whose protective vest had been blasted away, Charette removed his own armored vest and placed it on the helpless man.

Later, while aiding another casualty suffering a severe leg wound, he stood upright in the trench line under direct enemy fire so he could better treat and comfort the man during evacuation.

His fearless devotion to others saved many lives and inspired everyone around him.

William R. Charette’s courage and sacrifice upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

CHARETTE, WILLIAM R.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy aggressor forces during the early morning hours. Participating in a fierce encounter with a cleverly concealed and well-entrenched enemy force occupying positions on a vital and bitterly contested outpost far in advance of the main line of resistance, HC3c. Charette repeatedly and unhesitatingly moved about through a murderous barrage of hostile small-arms and mortar fire to render assistance to his wounded comrades. When an enemy grenade landed within a few feet of a marine he was attending, he immediately threw himself upon the stricken man and absorbed the entire concussion of the deadly missile with his body. Although sustaining painful facial wounds, and undergoing shock from the intensity of the blast which ripped the helmet and medical aid kit from his person, HC3c. Charette resourcefully improvised emergency bandages by tearing off part of his clothing, and gallantly continued to administer medical aid to the wounded in his own unit and to those in adjacent platoon areas as well. Observing a seriously wounded comrade whose armored vest had been torn from his body by the blast from an exploding shell, he selflessly removed his own battle vest and placed it upon the helpless man although fully aware of the added jeopardy to himself. Moving to the side of another casualty who was suffering excruciating pain from a serious leg wound, HC3c. Charette stood upright in the trench line and exposed himself to a deadly hail of enemy fire in order to lend more effective aid to the victim and to alleviate his anguish while being removed to a position of safety. By his indomitable courage and inspiring efforts in behalf of his wounded comrades, HC3c. Charette was directly responsible for saving many lives. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.