Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant Robert Milton McGovern was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on January 30, 1951 near Kamyangjan-ni, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. McGovern was 23 years old.
McGovern was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
McGovern was born on January 24, 1928 in Washington, District of Columbia. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
McGovern is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 34 credited to District of Columbia.
Official 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 pillbox 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 one-man assault and, firing his pistol and throwing grenades, killed seven 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
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.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (January 30, 1951).
- Age at death: 23
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Robert Milton McGovern received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: St. John's College High School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in District of Columbia →
Timeline
- January 24, 1928Born in Washington, District of Columbia
- January 30, 1951Act of valor — near Kamyangjan-ni, KoreaAge 23. Company A, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division Killed in action.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Robert Milton McGovern (1928 – January 30, 1951) was an officer in the United States Army during the Korean War who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 30, 1951.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert M. McGovern”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
