Charles George

Shielded his comrades from a grenade and saved both soldiers

Charles George grew up in Birdtown, a community in Cherokee, North Carolina, within the Qualla Boundary. A citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, he was born on August 23, 1932, and spent his youth in the mountain landscape surrounding the Oconaluftee River. He attended the Indian School in Cherokee and, according to a community remembrance, enjoyed hunting and fishing. At 18, as the Korean War continued, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training at Fort Jackson, infantry training at Fort Benning, and advanced preparation in Japan, he was deployed to Korea. He served as a private first class in Company C, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division.

On the night of November 30, 1952, George joined a raiding party tasked with engaging enemy positions and bringing back a prisoner for interrogation near Songnae-dong. The men climbed a steep, defended slope under mortar and machine-gun fire, suffering casualties before reaching the crest. George pressed into the trenches and fought at close quarters. When the raiding party withdrew, he and two fellow soldiers stayed behind to cover their comrades. As they left the trench, an enemy soldier threw a grenade among them. George warned one companion, pushed the other clear, and threw himself on the grenade. He absorbed the blast and was critically wounded. He made no outcry that might reveal the position of his companions; the two men carried him to a forward aid station, where he died soon after.

The Medal of Honor recognized both George’s fighting on the hill and the final act that saved his companions. The award was made posthumously by General Order No. 19, dated March 18, 1954. On March 10, 1954, Secretary of the Army Robert T. Stevens presented the medal at the Pentagon to George’s father, Jacob George. George was buried at Yellow Hill Cemetery in Cherokee, and his Medal of Honor is held by the Museum of the Cherokee. His story is remembered in his home community as an expression of courage and care for fellow soldiers, as well as a significant part of the history of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Official Medal of Honor Citation:

Pfc. George, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy on the night of 30 November 1952. He was a member of a raiding party committed to engage the enemy and capture a prisoner for interrogation. Forging up the rugged slope of the key terrain feature, the group was subjected to intense mortar and machine-gun fire and suffered several casualties. Throughout the advance, he fought valiantly and, upon reaching the crest of the hill, leaped into the trenches and closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. When friendly troops were ordered to move back upon completion of the assignment, he and two comrades remained to cover the withdrawal. While in the process of leaving the trenches a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into their midst. Pfc. George shouted a warning to one comrade, pushed the other soldier out of danger, and, with full knowledge of the consequences, unhesitatingly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full blast of the explosion. Although seriously wounded in this display of valor, he refrained from any outcry which would divulge the position of his companions. The two soldiers evacuated him to the forward aid station and shortly thereafter he succumbed to his wound. Pfc. George’s indomitable courage, consummate devotion to duty, and willing self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.