Walter C. Monegan Jr.

His close-range rockets halted tanks advancing toward Seoul.

Walter Carleton Monegan Jr. was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on 25 December 1930. He attended several schools in the Melrose and Walpole area. Eager to enter military service, he enlisted in the Army in November 1947 while still under age. His parents disclosed his age, and the Army discharged him in January 1948. He then stayed with family friends in Baltimore and obtained parental consent to join the Marine Corps on 22 March 1948.

After recruit training at Parris Island, Monegan sailed for China and served with the 3rd Marines at Tsingtao. He returned to the United States in June 1949, served at Camp Pendleton and later at the Marine barracks at Naval Air Station Seattle, and married Betty Clark. He reenlisted in July 1950, became a private first class and joined Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. His unit landed at Inchon on 15 September and pushed inland toward Seoul.

His Medal of Honor recognized actions on 17 and 20 September 1950. During the first engagement, six enemy tanks threatened the battalion's position. Monegan advanced under automatic fire and attacked the leading tank with his rocket launcher from less than fifty yards. He fired again at the following vehicles, disrupting their movement and helping the Marines repel the attack. The official citation describes how he "boldly fired two more rounds of ammunition at the oncoming tanks" (https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/walter-c-monegan).

Three days later, an enemy tank and infantry attack again threatened the Marines near Sosa-ri. Monegan went forward with his bazooka and attacked at close range. He disabled enemy tanks while exposing himself to their fire, but was killed during the engagement. His actions were part of the struggle to protect the approach toward Seoul following the Inchon landing. He was nineteen years old.

His body was initially buried in Korea before being returned for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. The Medal of Honor was presented to his widow at the Pentagon on 8 February 1952. Their son had been born after his father's death. His other documented decorations included the Purple Heart, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, China Service Medal and Korean Service Medal.

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 rocket gunner attached to Company F, and in action against enemy aggressor forces. Dug in on a hill overlooking the main Seoul highway when six enemy tanks threatened to break through the battalion position during a predawn attack on 17 September, Pfc. Monegan promptly moved forward with his bazooka, under heavy hostile automatic-weapons fire and engaged the lead tank at a range of less than 50 yards. After scoring a direct hit and killing the sole surviving tankman with his carbine as he came through the escape hatch, he boldly fired two more rounds of ammunition at the oncoming tanks, disorganizing the attack and enabling our tank crews to continue blasting with their 90-mm guns. With his own and an adjacent company's position threatened by annihilation when an overwhelming enemy tank-infantry force bypassed the area and proceeded toward the battalion command post during the early morning of September 20, he seized his rocket launcher and, in total darkness, charged down the slope of the hill where the tanks had broken through. Quick to act when an illuminating shell lit the area, he scored a direct hit on one of the tanks as hostile rifle and automatic-weapons fire raked the area at close-range. Again exposing himself, he fired another round to destroy a second tank and, as the rear tank turned to retreat, stood upright to fire and was fatally struck down by hostile machine-gun fire when another illuminating shell silhouetted him against the sky. Pfc. Monegan's daring initiative, gallant fighting spirit, and courageous devotion to duty were contributing factors in the success of his company in repelling the enemy, and his self-sacrificing efforts throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.