Charles Kohl Farabaugh
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Charles Kohl Farabaugh was born on 2 February 1929 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Charles L. and Marie Kohl Farabaugh. After completing grade school at St. Stephen’s in Minneapolis, he moved with his family to Missoula, MT, where he graduated from the Missoula County High School in 1946, just in time to enter West Point with the Class of 1950.

One of the youngest members of his class, plebe year for Chuck was filled with the usual upperclassmen doing their best to rattle him, but his natural sense of humor and characteristic cool head carried him unscathed and uncomplaining through that difficult period. Track and cross-country were his sports and, while not the best of competitors—being more anxious for his friends’ success than his own—he managed to stay with the team where he earned the sobriquet of “The Cinderella Runner,” since he always managed to ramble home with the final point that spelled victory for his team.

Branch selection was not difficult for Chuck—“Army” and “Infantry” were synonymous to him. His stateside assignments were Jump School at Fort Benning, GA; the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY; and back to Fort Benning with the reactivated 508th Airborne RCT. Mid-April 1952 found him in Korea, a platoon leader in Company A, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which was on line at Hwa-Chon, northeast of Seoul.

Chuck’s character was truly unique. He was not easily impressed, nor did he try to impress anyone. He had an extremely cool head and an easygoing friendliness combined with even-tempered aggressiveness that earned him the respect and loyalty of the men he led. The brief period from April to July 1952 was among the happiest of his life, for he felt that he was making a substantial contribution to the good of his country and the welfare of his men. This is indicated by his letters to his family. “I’m enjoying this life more and more each day. I hope now to extend my tour of duty...this is a wonderful way to live.” “We...are sitting around the stove drinking some beer and shooting the breeze—a very enjoyable evening.” And Chuck did all that the ideal platoon leader would do.

1LT Farabaugh was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on 17 July 1952.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Charles Kohl Farabaugh (ASN: 0-62695), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Farabaugh distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Haduch'on, Korea, on 17 July 1952. On that date, Lieutenant Farabaugh led a combat patrol deep into enemy-held territory for the purpose of locating and probing hostile troops. The patrol was surprised by a numerically superior enemy force and a fierce fire-fight ensued. During the battle, Lieutenant Farabaugh observed an element of the enemy force moving slowly to the left of the patrol's position in a flanking maneuver. After carefully estimating the situation, Lieutenant Farabaugh ordered the patrol to withdraw. He then moved from his protective cover through the intense enemy fire to a position from which he could cover the threatened flank. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Farabaugh laid down such a withering hail of fire that the hostile forces were repelled. While he was covering the withdrawal of his patrol through the cleared sector, Lieutenant Farabaugh was mortally wounded.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 502 (May 22, 1953) Action Date: 17-Jul-52

Burial

First Lieutenant Charles Kohl Farabaugh is buried at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery in West Point, Orange County, NY, in Section VII, Row G, Site 311.

Some of the information in this bio was derived from Cullum Number 17944, USMA.