TFH 1/2: SFC Junior D. Edwards, USA

Junior Dean Edwards was born in Indianola, Iowa on October 7, 1926. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1945, too late to serve during World War II, but stayed in the service and on January 2, 1951 found himself fighting with the 2nd Infantry Division in the Korean War.

Edwards, assigned to Company E (2nd Battalion) of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, charged ahead three times alone against enemy machine guns in daring counter attacks, repelled twice only after exhausting all of his ammunition and grenades, and the third time when cut down by the enemy. His indomitable courage and fighting spirit were posthumously recognized with our Nation's highest honor.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Korean War:


*EDWARDS, JUNIOR D.

Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Changbong-ni, Korea, 2 January 1951. Entered service at: Indianola, Iowa. Born: 7 October 1926, Indianola, Iowa. G.O. No.: 13, 1 February 1952. Citation: Sfc. Edwards, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon, while assisting in the defense of a strategic hill, was forced out of its position and came under vicious raking fire from an enemy machine gun set up on adjacent high ground, Sfc. Edwards individually charged the hostile emplacement, throwing grenades as he advanced. The enemy withdrew but returned to deliver devastating fire when he had expended his ammunition. Securing a fresh supply of grenades, he again charged the emplacement, neutralized the weapon and killed the crew, but was forced back by hostile small-arms fire. When the enemy emplaced another machine gun and resumed fire, Sfc. Edwards again renewed his supply of grenades, rushed a third time through a vicious hail of fire, silenced this second gun and annihilated its crew. In this third daring assault he was mortally wounded but his indomitable courage and successful action enabled his platoon to regain and hold the vital strongpoint. Sfc. Edwards' consummate valor and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the utmost glory upon himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the infantry and military service.

Edwards rests in peace at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in Indianola, Iowa.

2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry is still a component of the 2nd Infantry Division. They are an infantry battalion with the division's 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team and their home station is Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. Administratively, the "Raider Brigade" as they're nicknamed, comes under the 7th Infantry Division as the 2nd division's headquarters is forward deployed to the Republic of Korea.