Henry Svehla,
Medal Of Honor
Awardee
Henry Svehla
(Oct. 28, 1932 – June 12, 1952) was a United States Army
soldier who on May 2nd 2011 was posthumously awarded the
United States military’s highest decoration, the Medal of
Honor, for his actions in the Korean War. Previously he had
been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
By June 12,
1952, Svehla was a private first class serving in Korea as a
rifleman with Company F, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th
Infantry Division. On that day, his platoon came under heavy
fire and he charged forward to attack the enemy. When a
grenade landed amidst his group, he smothered the blast with
his body in order to protect those around him. He was killed
in the explosion.[1] His remains have never been recovered.
For these
actions, Svehla was awarded the Medal of Honor by President
Barack Obama on May 2 during a White House ceremony. His
sisters Dorothy Mathews and Sylvia Svehla accepted the medal
on his behalf. Also receiving a Medal of Honor at the
ceremony was the family of Private First Class Anthony T.
Kahoʻohanohano,
a fellow 7th Infantry Division soldier killed in the Korean
War.
Henry Svehla
Essex, New Jersey
Born
Oct 28, 1932
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Service Number 21748254
Killed in Action
Died June 12, 1952 in Korea
U.S.
Army Pfc. Henry Svehla received the Medal of Honor in 2011.
The
Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an
enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the
Armed Services of the United States. It is generally presented to its
recipient by the president of the United States of America in the name
of Congress.
Private First Class Svehla was a member of
Company F, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry
Division.
He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North
Korea on June 12, 1952.
Declared missing in action, Pfc. Svelha's remains were not recovered. His name is
inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
For
his leadership and valor, Private First Class Svehla was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, the Combat
Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations
Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean
Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service
Medal.

Distinguished
Service Cross
Awarded
posthumously for actions during the Korean War
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
Private First Class Henry Svehla (ASN: RA-21748254), United
States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with
military operations against an armed enemy of the United
Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 32d
Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.
Private First
Class Svehla distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism
in action against enemy aggressor forces at Pyongony, Korea,
on 12 June 1952.
Committed to
determine enemy strength and capabilities on key terrain,
Private Svehla’s platoon forged up the rocky slope. Coming
under heavy automatic-weapons and small-arms fire, the
troops began to falter.
Realizing the
success of the mission was imperiled, Private Svehla charge
forward, firing his weapon and throwing grenades. The men,
rallying to the challenge, joined in the assault against a
numerically superior foe and inflicted numerous casualties.
Although
wounded by a mortar burst, Private Svehla refused medical
treatment and continued to lead the attack. During the
ensuing conflict, an enemy grenade fell in the midst of the
group.
While
attempting to dispose of the grenade to protect his comrades
from injury which might result from the explosion of the
grenade, Private Svehla lost his life.