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First Name: Clarence

Last Name: Postlethwait

Birthplace: Erie, PA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Erie, PA
Middle Name: Eugene



Date of Birth: 04 May 1919

Date of Death: 31 December 1950

Rank: Sergeant First Class

Years Served:
Clarence Eugene Postlethwait

   
Engagements:
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)

Biography:

Clarence Eugene Postlethwait
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

In November 1950, then-Sergeant Clarence Eugene Postlethwait was serving as a Medical Aidman with Company C, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in Korea.

On 2 November, SGT Postlethwait's unit was engaged with enemy forces at Unsan, North Korea, when the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) became completely surrounded and contained in a small defense perimeter in an open field and pinned down by heavy concentrations of enemy automatic small-arms fire. There were about 125 wounded American soldiers within the defense perimeter that had received no medical aid because all the medical supplies were aboard a truck that had to be abandoned during the preceding night's engagement. The truck was located about 75 yards outside the defense perimeter and in full view of the enemy. SGT Postlethwait volunteered to try to reach the truck and bring back medical supplies that would allow the battalion surgeon to render emergency treatment to the wounded. SGT Postlethwait left the defense perimeter and made his way to the truck, while under fire from enemy snipers, and collected the necessary medical supplies. However, before he arrived back at the defense perimeter, he was wounded by fragments from enemy grenades. SGT Postlethwait's courageous, extraordinary heroism in an effort to alleviate the sufferings of his wounded comrades earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

SGT Postlethwait was captured on 2 November 1950 and died of wounds on or about 31 December 1950, while a Prisoner of War. He received a promotion to Sergeant First Class while in captivity.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Prisoner of War Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Medical 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 Sergeant First Class [then Sergeant] Clarence Eugene Postlethwait (ASN: RA-6898582), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a medical Aidman with Company C, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Sergeant First Class Postlethwait distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Unsan, Korea, on 2 November 1950. On that date, the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) was completely surrounded and contained in a small defense perimeter in an open field and pinned down by heavy concentrations of enemy automatic small-arms fire. There were approximately 125 American wounded within the defense perimeter who had received no medical attention due to the fact that all medical supplies were aboard a truck which had to be abandoned during the preceding night's furious engagement and which was located at an exposed point approximately 75 yards outside the defense perimeter, in full view of the enemy. Sergeant First Class Postlethwait fearlessly volunteered to attempt to reach the truck and bring back medications and bandages to enable the battalion surgeon to render emergency treatment to the wounded. With utter disregard for his own safety, he left the comparative cover of the defense perimeter, made his way to the truck amidst bursts of fire from enemy snipers, and collected the necessary medical supplies. He had all but arrived back at the defense perimeter when he was mortally wounded by fragments from enemy grenades. Sergeant Postlethwait's unflinching courage and heroic self-sacrifice in an effort to alleviate the sufferings of his wounded comrades set an inspirational example of valor to all who observed him, reflecting the highest credit on himself, and upholding the finest traditions of the military service.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 51 (November 29, 1956)

Prisoner of War Medal Citation

Sergeant First Class Clarence Postlethwait (ASN: RA-06898582), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured on 2 November 1950 during the Korean War and died of wounds on or about 31 December 1950.

General Orders: Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office. Action Date: November 2, 1950 - December 31, 1950 (MIA)

Memorialization

The remains of Sergeant First Class Clarence Eugene Postlethwait have never been recovered. He is memorialized by having his name inscribed on Court 6 of the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, HI.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=159153242



Honoree ID: 300846   Created by: MHOH

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