TFH 6/12: PFC Henry Svehla, USA

Sixty years ago today, 19 year-old Private First Class Henry Svehla from New Jersey fighting in Korea with the 32d Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division. While on patrol, Svehla's unit encountered an enemy strongpoint which he took it upon himself to charge. His courage and sacrifice was originally recognized with the second-highest award: the Distinguished Service Cross.

After persistent appeals from the men who served with him and his family, Svehla's decoration was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2011.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Korean War:


*SVEHLA, HENRY


Rank and Organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company F, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Place and date: Pyongony, Korea, 12 June, 1952 Born: 1932, New Jersey. Citation: Private First Class Henry Svehla distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with F Company, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Pyongony, Korea, on 12 June 1952. That afternoon while Private First Class Svehla and his platoon were patrolling a strategic hill to determine enemy strength and positions, they were subjected to intense enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire at the top of the hill. Coming under the heavy fire, the platoon's attack began to falter. Realizing the success of the mission and the safety of the remaining troops were in peril, Private First Class Svehla leapt to his feet and charged the enemy positions, firing his weapon and throwing grenades as he advanced. In the face of this courage and determination, the platoon rallied to the attack with renewed vigor. Private First Class Svehla, utterly disregarding his own safety, destroyed enemy positions and inflicted heavy casualties, when suddenly fragments from a mortar round exploding nearby seriously wounded him in the face. Despite his wounds, Private First Class Svehla refused medical treatment and continued to lead the attack. When an enemy grenade landed among a group of his comrades, Private First Class Svehla, without hesitation and undoubtedly aware of the extreme danger, threw himself upon the grenade. During this action, Private First Class Svehla was mortally wounded. Private First Class Svehla's extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Henry Svehla's remains were never recovered. His sisters and nephew received his Medal from President Barack Obama at the White House on May 2, 2011.