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First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Samuel Streit Coursen was a 1949 graduate of the United States Military Academy who served as a company commander in the United States Army during the Korean War. He demonstrated extraordinary heroism and leadership while leading his platoon in tactical operations against enemy forces.
During his service in Korea, Coursen was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While attempting to protect a wounded comrade, he engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat, sacrificing his own life to save others.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Lieutenant Coursen's service was recognized with numerous decorations, including the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and campaign medals from both his World War II era service and his active combat deployment in the Korean War.
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