Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Private First Class William Bernard Baugh was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on November 29, 1950 along the road from Koto-ri to Hagaru-ri, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company G, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). Baugh was 20 years old.
Baugh was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 27, 1952.
Baugh was born on July 7, 1930 in McKinney, Lincoln County, Kentucky. His Medal of Honor is credited to Harrison, Hamilton County, Ohio. He is buried at Glen Haven Cemetery in Harrison, Ohio.
Baugh is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of an antitank assault squad attached to Company G, during a nighttime enemy attack against a motorized column. Acting instantly when a hostile hand grenade landed in his truck as he and his squad prepared to alight and assist in the repulse of an enemy force delivering intense automatic-weapons and grenade fire from deeply entrenched and well-concealed roadside positions, Pfc. Baugh quickly shouted a warning to the other men in the vehicle and, unmindful of his personal safety, hurled himself upon the deadly missile, thereby saving his comrades from serious injury or possible death. Sustaining severe wounds from which he died a short time afterward, Pfc. Baugh, by his superb courage and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
Sustaining severe wounds from which he died a short time afterward, Pfc. Baugh, by his superb courage and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (November 29, 1950).
- Age at death: 20
- Resting place: Glen Haven Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, William Bernard Baugh received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Places
Timeline
- July 7, 1930Born in McKinney, Lincoln County, Kentucky
- November 29, 1950Act of valor — along the road from Koto-ri to Hagaru-ri, KoreaAge 20. Company G, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein) Killed in action.
- August 27, 1952Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeGlen Haven CemeteryHarrison, Ohio
Biography
William Bernard Baugh (July 7, 1930 – November 29, 1950) was a United States Marine who, at age 20, received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War. The nation's highest decoration for valor was presented to Baugh for extraordinary heroism on November 29, 1950, between Koto-ri and Hagaru-ri, when he protected the members of his squad from a grenade by smothering it with his body.
From the Wikipedia article “William B. Baugh”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
