John Essebagger Jnr MOH

b. 29/10/1928 Holland, Michigan. d. 25/04/1951 Popsudong, Korea.

DATE OF MOH ACTION: 25/04/1951 Popsudong, Korea.

John Essebagger MOH

John Essebagger Jr. was born on October 29, 1928 in Holland, Michigan. Essebagger joined the Army in 1950.
On April 25, 1951, near Popsudong, Korea, Essebagger, as a member of Company A, committed to effect a delaying action to cover the 3d Battalion’s withdrawal. Essebagger, a member of 1 of 2 squads maintaining defensive positions in key terrain and defending the company’s right flank, had participated in repulsing numerous attacks. In a frenzied banzai charge the numerically superior enemy seriously threatened the security of the planned route of withdrawal and isolation of the small force. Badly shaken, the grossly outnumbered detachment started to fall back and Essebagger, realizing the impending danger, voluntarily remained to provide security for the withdrawal. Gallantly maintaining a l-man stand, Essebagger raked the menacing hordes with crippling fire and, with the foe closing on the position, left the comparative safety of his shelter and advanced in the face of overwhelming odds, firing his weapon and hurling grenades to disconcert the enemy and afford time for displacement of friendly elements to more tenable positions. Scorning the withering fire and bursting shells, Essebagger continued to move forward, inflicting destruction upon the fanatical foe until he was mortally wounded.
Essebagger’s intrepid action and supreme sacrifice exacted a heavy toll in enemy dead and wounded, stemmed the onslaught, and enabled the retiring squads to reach safety. Essebagger is buried at the Pilgrim Home Cemetery in Holland, Michigan. He received the award posthumously (presented to his widow) from US Secretary of the Army Frank C. Pace at the Pentagon, Washington DC, on March 26, 1952

MOH CITATION:

Cpl. Essebagger, a member of Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Committed to effect a delaying action to cover the 3d Battalion’s withdrawal through Company A, Cpl. Essebagger, a member of 1 of 2 squads maintaining defensive positions in key terrain and defending the company’s right flank, had participated in repulsing numerous attacks. In a frenzied banzai charge the numerically superior enemy seriously threatened the security of the planned route of withdrawal and isolation of the small force. Badly shaken, the grossly outnumbered detachment started to fall back and Cpl. Essebagger, realizing the impending danger, voluntarily remained to provide security for the withdrawal. Gallantly maintaining a l-man stand, Cpl. Essebagger raked the menacing hordes with crippling fire and, with the foe closing on the position, left the comparative safety of his shelter and advanced in the face of overwhelming odds, firing his weapon and hurling grenades to disconcert the enemy and afford time for displacement of friendly elements to more tenable positions. Scorning the withering fire and bursting shells, Cpl. Essebagger continued to move forward, inflicting destruction upon the fanatical foe until he was mortally wounded. Cpl. Essebagger’s intrepid action and supreme sacrifice exacted a heavy toll in enemy dead and wounded, stemmed the onslaught, and enabled the retiring squads to reach safety. His valorous conduct and devotion to duty reflected lasting glory upon himself and was in keeping with the noblest traditions of the infantry and the U.S. Army.

 

BURIAL LOCATION: PILGRIM HOME CEMETERY, HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.

CEMETERY 3, SECTION A, LOT 54, GRAVE 5

LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.