Reginald B. Desiderio
Reginald B. Desiderio | |
|---|---|
 Desiderio in c. 1940s | |
| Born | September 12, 1918 Clairton, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | November 27, 1950 (aged 32) |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1941–1950 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division |
| Conflicts | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star Bronze Star Medal (3) Purple Heart |
Reginald Benjamin Desiderio[1] (September 12, 1918 – November 27, 1950) was a soldier in the United States Army who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 27, 1950, during the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River.
Desiderio joined the army from Gilroy, California, in March 1941.[2] He is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California.
Honors
The United States Army Reserve Center on Westminster Drive in Pasadena, California, is named in his honor, as is the airfield at USAG Humphreys (ICAO: RKSG) in Pyongtaek, South Korea.
There is a memorial park dedicated to him in his hometown of Clairton, Pennsylvania, containing a World War I artillery piece and a 1950s missile. There is also a street named in his honor nearby.[3]
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, commanding officer, Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Ipsok, Korea, November 27, 1950
Entered service at: Gilroy, Calif. Born: September 12, 1918, Clairton, Pa
G.O. No.: 58, August 2, 1951
Citation:
Capt. Desiderio distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His company was given the mission of defending the command post of a task force against an enemy breakthrough. After personal reconnaissance during darkness and under intense enemy fire, he placed his men in defensive positions to repel an attack. Early in the action he was wounded, but refused evacuation and despite enemy fire continued to move among his men checking their positions and making sure that each element was prepared to receive the next attack. Again wounded, he continued to direct his men. By his inspiring leadership he encouraged them to hold their position. In the subsequent fighting when the fanatical enemy succeeded in penetrating the position, he personally charged them with carbine, rifle, and grenades, inflicting many casualties until he himself was mortally wounded. His men, spurred on by his intrepid example, repelled this final attack. Capt. Desiderio's heroic leadership, courageous and loyal devotion to duty, and his complete disregard for personal safety reflect the highest honor on him and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.[4]
Medals and decorations
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| Badge | Combat Infantryman Badge
with Star denoting 2nd award | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st row | Medal of Honor | |||
| 2nd row | Silver Star | Bronze Star Medal
with 2 Oak leaf clusters |
Purple Heart | |
| 3rd row | American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
with 2 Campaign stars | |
| 4th row | World War II Victory Medal | Army of Occupation Medal
with 'Germany' clasp |
National Defense Service Medal | |
| 5th row | Korean Service Medal
with 2 Campaign stars |
United Nations Service Medal Korea | Korean War Service Medal
Retroactively Awarded, 2003 | |
| Unit awards | Presidential Unit Citation
with 1 Oak leaf cluster |
Korean Presidential Unit Citation | ||
See also
Notes
- ^ "Hall of Valor".
- ^ "NARA – AAD – Display Full Records – Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938–1946 (Enlistment Records)". aad.archives.gov.
- ^ "Desiderio Memorial Park". The American Legion. 14 September 2023.
- ^ ""Reginald B. Desiderio" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. CMH, U. S. Army. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.