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First Name: Junior

Last Name: Edwards

Birthplace: Indianola, IA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Middle Name: Dean



Date of Birth: 07 October 1926

Date of Death: 02 January 1951

Rank: Sergeant First Class

Years Served: 1945 - 1946, 1947 - 1951
Junior Dean Edwards

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)

Biography:

Junior Dean Edwards
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Junior Dean Edwards was born on 7 October 1926 in Indianola, IA. He was Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was killed in action on 2 January 1951. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 2 January 1951.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Changbong-ni, Korea, 2 January 1951

G.O. No.: 13, 1 February 1952

Citation:

Sfc. Edwards, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon, while assisting in the defense of a strategic hill, was forced out of its position and came under vicious raking fire from an enemy machine gun set up on adjacent high ground, Sfc. Edwards individually charged the hostile emplacement, throwing grenades as he advanced. The enemy withdrew but returned to deliver devastating fire when he had expended his ammunition. Securing a fresh supply of grenades, he again charged the emplacement, neutralized the weapon and killed the crew, but was forced back by hostile small-arms fire. When the enemy emplaced another machine gun and resumed fire, Sfc. Edwards again renewed his supply of grenades, rushed a third time through a vicious hail of fire, silenced this second gun and annihilated its crew. In this third daring assault he was mortally wounded but his indomitable courage and successful action enabled his platoon to regain and hold the vital strongpoint. Sfc. Edwards' consummate valor and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the utmost glory upon himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the infantry and military service.

Other Medal

In addition to the Medal of Honor, SFC Edwards also received the Purple Heart.

Death and Burial

Sergeant First Class Junior D. Edwards is buried in the IOOF Cemetery, Indianola, IA.



Honoree ID: 1156   Created by: MHOH

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