Walter C. Monegan Jr.
Walter Carleton Monegan Jr. | |
|---|---|
Walter C. Monegan Jr., Medal of Honor recipient | |
| Nickname(s) | "Tank Killer" |
| Born | December 25, 1930 Melrose, Massachusetts |
| Died | September 20, 1950 (aged 19) near Seoul, Korea |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1947–1948 (Army) 1948–1950 (Marine Corps) |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Unit | Company F, 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division |
| Battles / wars | Korean War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart Medal Combat Action Ribbon Hwarang - Order of Military Merit Honorary Citizenship of Seoul |
Walter Carleton Monegan Jr. (December 25, 1930 – September 20, 1950) was a United States Marine in the Korean War. On September 20, 1950, he was killed in action near Sosa-ri during the Battle of Inchon in South Korea. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions above and beyond the call of duty on September 17 and 20, which helped to repulse a six-tank enemy attack on his battalion's position and then an overwhelming tank-infantry attack threatening to destroy his company at their position. He was killed after he proceeded to methodically knock out two of the three remaining enemy tanks at close range with his bazooka while under enemy fire.
The Medal of Honor was presented to his widow by Secretary of the Navy Dan A. Kimball, during ceremonies on February 8, 1952, in Washington, D.C.