HO-CHUNK SGT MITCHELL RED CLOUD JR. MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER BORN
Born in Hatfield, Wisconsin, Mitchell, at age 16, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and joined Carlson’s Raiders. He contracted malaria and jaundice but refused a medical discharge. At Okinawa, in May 1945, he earned a Purple Heart. In 1948, Mitchell joined the U.S. Army. In Korea, on November 5, 1950, Mitchell’s unit held a bridgehead across the Chongchon River when Chinese troops attacked at night. At his forward observation post, Red Cloud gave alarm and fired on the enemy at point-blank range even after he was shot twice in the chest. Refusing medical help, he continued firing until fatally wounded. His actions stopped the Chinese from overrunning his unit’s position. In April 1951, Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. On November 5, 2000, the 50th anniversary of his death, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal was presented to his daughter, Anita Red Cloud. Also, on August 7, 1999, the Military Sealift Command launched the USNS Red Cloud.
Source: Dana Benner, “Mitchell Red Cloud: Korean War Hero,” HistoryNet, 3/12/2007. Retrieved 7/5/2019, http://www.historynet.com/mitchell-red-cloud-jr-korean-war-hero.htm
Photo: Official Government photograph. Public Domain. Photograph taken by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.