PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
EDWARD GOMEZ, USMCR (DECEASED)

 

Medal of Honor Citation

Private First Class Edward Gomez, 19, of Omaha, Nebraska, earned the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life to save the lives of four comrades in his machine gun team.

The nation's highest decoration for valor was awarded to the Marine for extraordinary heroism on 14 September 1951, at Kajon-ni, when he smothered a hand grenade with his own body to prevent destruction of his Marine machine gun team.

Private First Class Gomez was the 18th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean conflict. Born 10 August 1932, in Omaha, he attended Omaha High School before enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve 11 August 1949, at the age of 17.

After recruit training at San Diego, California, he trained at Camp Pendleton, California, and went to Korea with the 7th Replacement Draft.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, PFC Gomez was awarded the Purple heart with a Gold Star in lieu of a second award, the Korean Service Medal with bronze star, and the United Nations Service Medal.

Korean War 1950-1953 Medal of Honor