SSgt William E. Schuck, Jr.

[Vulture6]

STAFF SERGEANT
WILLIAM EDWARD SHUCK, JR., USMC



Staff Sergeant William E. Shuck, Jr., was posthumously awarded the Nation's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for heroic action against Communist forces in Korea on 3 July 1952.

As a machine gun squad leader in the 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, SSgt Shuck participated in a daylight attack against well entrenched enemy forces. When the leader of one of the infantry squads he was supporting became a casualty, SSgt Shuck promptly assumed command of the riflemen.

Severely wounded, he refused medical aid and led his machine gunners and riflemen in an effective attack against the enemy position. Under a heavy barrage of small arms, grenade, artillery and mortar fire, SSgt Shuck personally supervised the removal of the dead and wounded of his command. When wounded a second time, he remained at the scene of action until he was assured all his casualties had been evacuated. As the last wounded Marine was being carried away, SSgt Shuck helped lift the stretcher and was killed instantly by an enemy sniper bullet.

William Edward Shuck, Jr. was born in Cumberland, Maryland, 16 August 1926 and grew up in Ridgely, West Virginia. He was a 1944 graduate of Ridgely High School and was a member of the Naval Reserve from 1944 to 1946. On 14 November 1947, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Medal of Honor was presented to SSgt Shuck's widow by Vice President Richard M. Nixon at a presentation ceremony held at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D. C., 9 September 1953.

SSgt WILLIAM E. SHUCK, JR.
Medal of Honor
1952
3/7/1
Korea

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAM E. SHUCK, JR.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Squad Leader of Company G, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced) in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 3 July 1952. When his platoon was subjected to a devastating barrage of enemy small-arms, grenade, artillery and mortar fire during an assault against strongly fortified hill positions well forward to the main line of resistance, Staff Sergeant Shuck although painfully wounded, refused medical attention and continued to lead his machine-gun squad in the attack. Unhesitatingly assuming command of a rifle squad when the leader became a casualty, he skillfully organized the two squads into an attacking force and led two more daring assaults upon the hostile positions. Wounded a second time, he steadfastly refused evacuation and remained in the foremost position under heavy fire until assured that all dead and wounded were evacuated. Mortally wounded by and enemy sniper bullet while voluntarily assisting in the removal of the last casualty, Staff Sergeant Shuck, by his fortitude and great personal valor in the face of overwhelming odd, served to inspire all who observed him. His unyielding courage throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.



/S/ DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER