Loren Robert Kaufman

He broke through an encircling force to regain their ground.

Loren Robert Kaufman was born at The Dalles, Oregon, on 27 July 1923. He enlisted in the Army on 13 December 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division in North Africa and Europe during the Second World War and earned a Bronze Star for heroism. He later served in Germany and Trieste before joining the 2nd Infantry Division for Korea in July 1950. In August 1950 he earned an oak leaf cluster to the Bronze Star for valor in Korea.

By September he was a sergeant first class in Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment. On the night of 4 September his platoon occupied an isolated position protecting the battalion's flank near Yongsan. When the company was attacked early the next morning, the platoon was ordered to return and help.

During the move Kaufman discovered an enemy force approaching along the ridge. He attacked immediately with rifle, bayonet and grenades, surprising the column and forcing it back. On reaching the company he found that the enemy held commanding ground and had pinned the Americans in a draw.

He attacked again, took over an unmanned machine gun and helped restore the company's momentum. Leading the advance towards the ridge, he destroyed a machine-gun position and then attacked a mortar crew. He subsequently led a patrol into the village to which the remaining enemy had withdrawn. His initiative was central to the company's recovery of its position.

Kaufman survived the action but was killed in Korea on 10 February 1951 before his Medal of Honor could be presented. General Omar Bradley gave the decoration to his father at the Pentagon on 21 June 1951. He was buried in Willamette National Cemetery, Oregon. His name was later given to the veterans' clinic at The Dalles, linking his military service with the community where he had been born.

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 an 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.