Medal of Honor: William R. Jecelin, Korean War, September 19, 1950

Name: William R. Jecelin
Rank: Sergeant, U.S. Army
War: Korean War
Date of Action: September 19, 1950
Unit: Company C, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Place: Near Saga, Korea
Born: May 6, 1930, Baltimore, Maryland

Summary of Action

On September 19, 1950, Company C of the 35th Infantry Regiment launched a determined assault against a heavily fortified enemy position near Saga, Korea. Their mission was to seize a jagged, sawtooth ridge, but the defenders were entrenched and well-armed. The first attempt failed, and the company regrouped for a frontal and flanking attack.

Sergeant William R. Jecelin led his platoon across open rice fields and jagged terrain, drawing fire directly onto himself to relieve pressure on the flanks. Under exploding shells and machine-gun fire, he rallied his men forward, reaching the base of the ridge. There, pinned down by ferocious fire, he rose from cover, firing his rifle, hurling grenades, and urging his men onward. His courage carried them to the crest, where they fought the enemy at bayonet point, clubbing and slashing in savage hand-to-hand combat.

Though the platoon was forced to cover under the fire of a self-propelled gun, Jecelin refused to yield. With fearless determination, he once again leapt to his feet and drove his men forward. At that instant, an enemy soldier hurled a grenade into their midst. Without hesitation, Jecelin threw himself upon it, sacrificing his life to save the men around him. Inspired by his selfless act, his soldiers surged with fury and overran the enemy.

At just 20 years old, Sergeant Jecelin’s fearless leadership and ultimate sacrifice turned the tide of battle and ensured victory for his platoon.

Official Medal of Honor Citation

Sgt. Jecelin, Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. His company was ordered to secure a prominent, sawtoothed ridge from a well-entrenched and heavily armed enemy. Unable to capture the objective in the first attempt, a frontal and flanking assault was launched. He led his platoon through heavy enemy fire and bursting shells, across ricefields and rocky terrain, in direct frontal attack on the ridge in order to draw fire away from the flanks. The unit advanced to the base of the cliff, where intense, accurate hostile fire stopped the attack. Realizing that an assault was the only solution, Sgt. Jecelin rose from his position firing his rifle and throwing grenades as he called on his men to follow him. Despite the intense enemy fire this attack carried to the crest of the ridge where the men were forced to take cover. Again he rallied his men and stormed the enemy strongpoint. With fixed bayonets they charged into the face of antitank fire and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. After clubbing and slashing this force into submission the platoon was forced to take cover from direct frontal fire of a self-propelled gun. Refusing to be stopped he leaped to his feet and through sheer personal courage and fierce determination led his men in a new attack. At this instant a well-camouflaged enemy soldier threw a grenade at the remaining members of the platoon. He immediately lunged and covered the grenade with his body, absorbing the full force of the explosion to save those around him. This incredible courage and willingness to sacrifice himself for his comrades so imbued them with fury that they completely eliminated the enemy force. Sgt. Jecelin’s heroic leadership and outstanding gallantry reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the military service.