Gilbert G. Collier-De Witt, AR
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 34° 17.016 W 091° 20.454
15S E 652711 N 3794847
Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Tutayon, Korea on July 19-20, 1953. He was killed in action. He is buried in De Witt Cemetery, De Witt, AR.
Waymark Code: WMXD5Q
Location: Arkansas, United States
Date Posted: 12/29/2017
Views: 0
He was born on December 30, 1930 in Hunter, AR and died on July 22, 1953 in Gangwon-do, South Korea. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *COLLIER, GILBERT G.
• Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Cpl.), U.S. Army, Company F, 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division.
• Place and date: Near Tutayon, Korea, 19-20 July 1953.
• Entered service at: Tichnor Ark.
• G.O. No.: 3, 12 January 1955.
Citation: Sgt. Collier, a member of Company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Sgt. Collier was pointman and assistant leader of a combat patrol committed to make contact with the enemy. As the patrol moved forward through the darkness, he and his commanding officer slipped and fell from a steep, 60-foot cliff and were injured. Incapacitated by a badly sprained ankle which prevented immediate movement, the officer ordered the patrol to return to the safety of friendly lines. Although suffering from a painful back injury, Sgt. Collier elected to remain with his leader, and before daylight they managed to crawl back up and over the mountainous terrain to the opposite valley where they concealed themselves in the brush until nightfall, then edged toward their company positions. Shortly after leaving the daylight retreat they were ambushed and, in the ensuing fire fight, Sgt. Collier killed 2 hostile soldiers, received painful wounds, and was separated from his companion. Then, ammunition expended, he closed in hand-to-hand combat with 4 attacking hostile infantrymen, killing, wounding, and routing the foe with his bayonet. He was mortally wounded during this action, but made a valiant attempt to reach and assist his leader in a desperate effort to save his comrade's life without regard for his own personal safety. Sgt. Collier's unflinching courage, consummate devotion to duty, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service
Armed Service: Army
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