William Bernard Baugh
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

William Bernard Baugh was born 7 July 1930 in McKinney, KY. He attended public schools in Butler County, OH, and was employed by the Harrison Shoe Corporation after finishing school.

Baugh enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on 23 January 1948, at the age of 17. Following recruit training at Parris Island, SC; Baugh was stationed at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC. He was then transferred to the 1st Marine Division in Korea, where he took part in the Inchon landing and the capture of Seoul. He then fought in the Wonsan and Hungnam campaigns. His death occurred on 29 November 1950 in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. For his heroic action of sacrificing his life to save his Marine comrades, Baugh received the Medal of Honor:

The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WILLIAM B. BAUGH
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of an Anti-Tank Assault Squad attached to Company G, Third Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), during a nighttime enemy attack against a motorized column en route from Koto-Ri to Hagaru-ri, Korea, on November 29, 1950. Acting instantly when a hostile grenade landed in his truck as he and his squad prepared to alight and assist in the repulse of an enemy force delivering intense automatic-weapons and grenade fire from deeply entrenched and well-concealed roadside positions, Private First Class Baugh quickly shouted a warning to the other men in the vehicle and, unmindful of his own personal safety, hurled himself upon the deadly missile, thereby saving his comrades from serious injury or possible death. Sustaining severe wounds from which he died a short time afterward, Private First Class Baugh, by his superb courage and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Private First Class Baugh was the 15th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War. He was 20 years old.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal