🏅The Hometown Hero

The small town I grew up in has a population of 1,330. There are four churches, a handful of bars, a bowling alley, and some small businesses on Main Street. There’s also a library, which, in my mind, could be the most exciting thing about the whole place. Among all of the mundanity lies a pretty interesting fact, though.

That little town was home to a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, a Master Sergeant in the 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Calvary Division of the U.S. Army. His name was Melvin Oscar Handrich, and the story of his service and death in the Korean War is one of true bravery, commitment, and selflessness. This young man was a couple years ahead of my grandma in school, but she would talk about him sometimes when I asked questions about her younger days.

At the age of 31, Melvin was serving near Sobuk San Mountain, Korea, on August 25-26, 1950. He was killed in action on the latter day, but not before acting in a truly courageous way.

His citation (available on the Congressional Medal of Honor website) reads as follows:

M/Sgt. Handrich, Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. His company was engaged in repulsing an estimated 150 enemy who were threatening to overrun its position. Near midnight on 25 August, a hostile group over 100 strong attempted to infiltrate the company perimeter. M/Sgt. Handrich, despite the heavy enemy fire, voluntarily left the comparative safety of the defensive area and moved to a forward position where he could direct mortar and artillery fire upon the advancing enemy. He remained at this post for eight hours, directing fire against the enemy who often approached to within 50 feet of his position. Again, on the morning of 26 August, another strong hostile force made an attempt to overrun the company's position. With complete disregard for his safety, M/Sgt. Handrich rose to his feet and from this exposed position fired his rifle and directed mortar and artillery fire on the attackers. At the peak of this action he observed elements of his company preparing to withdraw. He perilously made his way across fire-swept terrain to the defense area where, by example and forceful leadership, he reorganized the men to continue the fight. During the action M/Sgt. Handrich was severely wounded. Refusing to take cover or be evacuated, he returned to his forward position and continued to direct the company's fire. Later a determined enemy attack overran M/Sgt. Handrich's position and he was mortally wounded. When the position was retaken, over 70 enemy dead were counted in the area he had so intrepidly defended. M/Sgt. Handrich's sustained personal bravery, consummate courage, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect untold glory upon himself and the heroic traditions of the military service.

Melvin’s father was presented with his medal at The Pentagon on June 21, 1951. And rather than have their son interred at Arlington National Cemetery for all to visit and pay respects to, his parents instead chose to have him brought home to Wisconsin. He’s buried in our small-town cemetery that’s just a mile or so up the road from my parents’ house.

I visit that cemetery often whenever I go home, and this is one grave that I always stop by. I say my thanks and move on after a few minutes, but I admit that I wish more people did so. Sadly, so many have grown up in and left that town without ever knowing about Melvin Handrich or learning about his story. Sure, the Korean War seems a lifetime ago, but these things, these memories, are important. Heroes like this should not be forgotten.