PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
WILLIAM BERNARD BAUGH, USMC (DECEASED)
 

Medal of Honor Citation

Private First Class William B. Baugh, 20, of Harrison, Ohio, earned the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life to save his Marine comrades.

The nation’s highest decoration for valor was awarded the young Marine for extraordinary heroism on 29 November 1950, between Koto-ri and Hagaru-ri, when he protected the members of his squadron from a grenade by smothering it with his body.

Private First Class Baugh was the 15th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean conflict. Born 7 July 1930, in McKinney, Kentucky, William Bernard Baugh was employed by Harrison Shoe Corporation before his enlistment in the Marine Corps on 23 January 1948, at the age of 17. He attended public schools in Butler County, Ohio.

Following recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina , PFC Baugh was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and after being transferred to the 1st Marine Division in Korea, took part in the Inchon landing, the capture of Seoul, and the Wonsan, Hungnam, and Chosin Reservoir campaigns. His death occurred in the Chosin area.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, PFC Baugh was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart Medal. He previously held the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe Clasp, Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, and the United Nations Service Medal.

Korean War Medal of Honor