b. 23/08/1923 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. d. 27/08/1951 Hill 700, South Korea.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 27/08/1951 Hill 700, South Korea.
Lee R Hartell MOH
ee enlisted in the Connecticut National Guard on June 20, 1940 in the 192nd Field Artillery Battalion. He transferred to active duty on September 22, 1942 and was wounded in action in the South Pacific on June 19, 1943. He then transferred to Battery C of the 31st Battalion, 8th Field Artillery training regiment at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was discharged from active duty on July 1, 1945. He was discharged from the Connecticut National Guard the following day.
On August 8, 1946, he rejoined the Connecticut National Guard as a Second Lieutenant and served as an artillery officer with the 963rd Field Artillery battalion. He was then discharged from the National Guard on January 12, 1948 to enter active duty service. He was deployed to Korea as part of Battery A, 15th Artillery Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division. He was killed in action on August 27, 1951. His posthumous Medal of Honor was presented on January 16, 1952 at The Pentagon by Secretary of Defense, Robert A. Lovatt, to his widow.
MOH CITATION:
1st Lt. Hartell, a member of Battery A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. During the darkness of early morning, the enemy launched a ruthless attack against friendly positions on a rugged mountainous ridge. 1st Lt. Hartell, attached to Company B, 9th Infantry Regiment, as forward observer, quickly moved his radio to an exposed vantage on the ridgeline to adjust defensive fires. Realizing the tactical advantage of illuminating the area of approach, he called for flares and then directed crippling fire into the onrushing assailants. At this juncture a large force of hostile troops swarmed up the slope in banzai charge and came within 10 yards of 1st Lt. Hartell’s position. 1st Lt. Hartell sustained a severe hand wound in the ensuing encounter, but grasped the microphone with his other hand and maintained his magnificent stand until the front and left flank of the company were protected by a close-in wall of withering fire, causing the fanatical foe to disperse and fall back momentarily. After the numerically superior enemy overran an outpost and was closing on his position, 1st Lt. Hartell, in a final radio call, urged the friendly elements to fire both batteries continuously. Although mortally wounded, 1st Lt. Hartell’s intrepid actions contributed significantly to stemming the onslaught and enabled his company to maintain the strategic strongpoint. His consummate valor and unwavering devotion to duty reflect lasting glory on himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service.
BURIAL LOCATION: SAINT PETER’S CEMETERY, DANBURY, CONNECTICUT.
SECTION 20.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
