b. 09/05/1930 Lowell, Massachusetts. d. 03/09/1950 South Korea.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 31/08/1950 near Yongsan, Korea.
Joseph R Ouellette MOH
Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. Ouellette served as a Private First Class, United States Army, Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service Near Yongsan, Korea, from August 31-September 3, 1950. His mother was presented with his posthumous Medal of Honor at The Pentagon on April 3, 1951 from General Omar N. Bradley.
MOH CITATION:
Pfc. Ouellette distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in the Makioug-Chang River salient. When an enemy assault cut off and surrounded his unit, he voluntarily made a reconnaissance of a nearby hill under intense enemy fire to locate friendly troop positions and obtain information of the enemy’s strength and location. Finding that friendly troops were not on the hill, he worked his way back to his unit under heavy fire. Later, when an airdrop of water was made outside the perimeter, he again braved enemy fire in an attempt to retrieve water for his unit. Finding the dropped cans broken and devoid of water, he returned to his unit. His heroic attempt greatly increased his comrades’ morale. When ammunition and grenades ran low, Pfc. Ouellette again slipped out of the perimeter to collect these from the enemy dead. After collecting grenades he was attacked by an enemy soldier. He killed this enemy in hand-to-hand combat, gathered up the ammunition, and returned to his unit. When the enemy attacked on 3 September, they assaulted his position with grenades. On six occasions Pfc. Ouellette leaped from his foxhole to escape exploding grenades. In doing so, he had to face enemy small-arms fire. He continued his resistance, despite a severe wound, until he lost his life. The extraordinary heroism and intrepidity displayed by Pfc. Ouellette reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.
BURIAL LOCATION: ST JOSEPH’S CEMETERY, EAST CHELMSFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.
SECTION R, LOT 766.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
