Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class Loren R. Kaufman was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on September 4, 1950 near Yongsan, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Kaufman was 27 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 21, 1951.
Kaufman was born on July 27, 1923 in The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon. Kaufman died on February 10, 1951 in Korea, at the age of 27. He is buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
Kaufman is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 13 credited to Oregon.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Sfc. Kaufman distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. On the night of 4 September the company was in a defensive position on two adjoining hills. His platoon was occupying a strong point two miles away protecting the battalion flank. Early on 5 September the company was attacked by enemy battalion and his platoon was ordered to reinforce the company. As his unit moved along a ridge it encountered a hostile encircling force. Sfc. Kaufman, running forward, bayoneted the lead scout and engaged the column in a rifle and grenade assault. His quick, vicious attack so surprised the enemy that they retreated in confusion. When his platoon joined the company he discovered that the enemy had taken commanding ground and pinned the company down in a draw. Without hesitation Sfc. Kaufman charged the enemy lines firing his rifle and throwing grenades. During the action, he bayoneted two enemy and, seizing an unmanned machine gun, delivered deadly fire on the defenders. Following this encounter the company regrouped and resumed the attack. Leading the assault, he reached the ridge, destroyed a hostile machine-gun position, and routed the remaining enemy. Pursuing the hostile troops, he bayoneted two more and then rushed a mortar position, shooting the gunners. Remnants of the enemy fled to a village and Sfc. Kaufman led a patrol into the town, dispersed them, and burned the buildings. The dauntless courage and resolute intrepid leadership of Sfc. Kaufman were directly responsible for the success of his company in regaining its positions, reflecting distinct credit upon himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Loren R. Kaufman received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II, Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Oregon →
Timeline
- July 27, 1923Born in The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon
- September 4, 1950Act of valor — near Yongsan, KoreaAge 27. Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
- February 10, 1951Died in KoreaAge 27.
- June 21, 1951Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeWillamette National CemeteryPortland, Oregon
Biography
Loren Robert Kaufman (July 27, 1923 – February 10, 1951) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 4–5 September 1950 during the Battle of Yongsan. He was later killed in action before being awarded the Medal of Honor and is buried at Willamette National Cemetery. Kaufman joined the army from his birthplace the week after the Attack on Pearl Harbor, and served in North Africa and Europe during World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “Loren R. Kaufman”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
