Paul L. Freeman Jr.
![]() | This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2015) ) |
Paul L. Freeman Jr. | |
---|---|
Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal "V" device (4) Air Medal Purple Heart |
Paul Lamar Freeman Jr. (June 29, 1907 – April 17, 1988) was a
Military career
Freeman was born June 29, 1907, in the Philippine Islands, son of Paul Lamar and Emma (Rosenbaum) Freeman. He graduated from the
At the time of the United States entry into World War II, Freeman was in China again, in
With the outbreak of the Korean War, Freeman was deployed to that theater as the Commander of the 23rd Infantry Regiment in the 2nd Infantry Division. He led the regiment in the retreat from Kunu-ri in November 1950. In early February he led the 23rd Regimental Combat Team in the Battle of the Twin Tunnels on 1 February 1951 and then at Battle of Chipyong-ni from 13 to 15 February 1951. At Chipyong-ni the 23rd RCT was cut off and surrounded by elements of five Chinese divisions, which launched fanatical all-out assaults against them. He was wounded on the first night of the engagement by mortar shrapnel in his left calf. Although he expected to return to the 23rd Infantry Regiment after his wounds healed, he did not resume command of the regiment, having been returned to the US to recover.
Returning from the war, he attended the
Freeman retired from the army in 1967, and died in
Awards and decorations
- Badges
Combat Infantryman Badge with second award
- Parachutist Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
- Decorations
Distinguished Service Cross
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters and "V" device
Air Medal
Purple Heart
- Service Medals
American Defense Service Medal with star
American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalwith four campaign stars and arrowhead device
- World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal with star
Korean Service Medal with four campaign stars
- Foreign Awards
Brazilian Order of Military Merit (Ordem do Mérito Militar)
- French Legion of Honorin degree of commander
- French Croix de Guerrewith palm
Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars
- United Nations Korea Medal
- Unit Awards
Army Presidential Unit Citation
- Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines)
- Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
References
External links
- Blair, Clay (2003). The Forgotten War: America in Korea, 1950–1953 (illustrated, reprint ed.). Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1591140757. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- Blair, Clay (Dec 12, 1987). The forgotten war: America in Korea, 1950. Times Books. ISBN 0812916700. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- David Halberstam (25 September 2007). The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War. Hachette Books. ISBN 978-1-4013-8964-2.
- Militaria Museum fact sheet