The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*LONG, CHARLES R.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S.
Army, Company M, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Place and date:
Near Hoengsong, Korea, 12 February 1951. Entered service at: Kansas City, Mo. Born:
10 December 1923, Kansas City, Mo. G.O. No.: 18, 1 February 1952.
Citation:
Sgt. Long, a member of Company M,
distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call
of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. When Company M, in a
defensive perimeter on Hill 300, was viciously attacked by a numerically superior hostile
force at approximately 0300 hours and ordered to withdraw, Sgt. Long, a forward observer
for the mortar platoon, voluntarily remained at his post to provide cover by directing
mortar fire on the enemy. Maintaining radio contact with his platoon, Sgt. Long coolly
directed accurate mortar fire on the advancing foe. He continued firing his carbine and
throwing handgrenades until his position was surrounded and he was mortally wounded. Sgt.
Long's inspirational, valorous action halted the onslaught, exacted a heavy toll of enemy
casualties, and enabled his company to withdraw, reorganize, counterattack, and regain the
hill strongpoint. His unflinching courage and noble self-sacrifice reflect the highest
credit on himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.
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