Charles C. Hagemeister - Leavenworth, KS - Medal Of Honor Resting Places on Waymarking.com

Born in Lincoln, NE in 1946, Charles Hagemeister was drafted into the Army in 1966 after completing just one year of college. He soon found himself in Vietnam serving as a combat medic in the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division with a rank of Specialist, 4th class.

On March 20, 1967, Hagemeister’s platoon was sent to secure a small village when they were ambushed on three sides. During the action, Hagemeister repeatedly risked enemy fire to attend to the wounded. At one point, he picked up a fallen soldier’s rifle and silenced an enemy machine gun position, killing a sniper and three other enemy soldiers in the process. After retrieving the help of a nearby platoon, he continued risking enemy fire to remove the wounded soldiers from the field. For his actions on that day, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson on May 14, 1968.

In spite of being drafted, Hagemeister made a career out of military service eventually attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. Besides the Medal of Honor, Charles Hagemeister also received the Bronze Star, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal among many other ribbons and citations.

Charles C. Hagemeister died on May 19, 2021, less than a month shy of his fiftieth wedding anniversary. He is laid to rest in the Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS. (This shouldn’t be confused with the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery which is also located in Leavenworth, KS.)

Charles C. Hagemeister’s full citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While conducting combat operations against a hostile force, Sp5c. Hagemeister's platoon suddenly came under heavy attack from 3 sides by an enemy force occupying well concealed, fortified positions and supported by machine guns and mortars. Seeing 2 of his comrades seriously wounded in the initial action, Sp5c. Hagemeister unhesitatingly and with total disregard for his safety, raced through the deadly hail of enemy fire to provide them medical aid. Upon learning that the platoon leader and several other soldiers also had been wounded, Sp5c. Hagemeister continued to brave the withering enemy fire and crawled forward to render lifesaving treatment and to offer words of encouragement. Attempting to evacuate the seriously wounded soldiers, Sp5c. Hagemeister was taken under fire at close range by an enemy sniper. Realizing that the lives of his fellow soldiers depended on his actions, Sp5c. Hagemeister seized a rifle from a fallen comrade, killed the sniper, 3 other enemy soldiers who were attempting to encircle his position and silenced an enemy machine gun that covered the area with deadly fire. Unable to remove the wounded to a less exposed location and aware of the enemy's efforts to isolate his unit, he dashed through the fusillade of fire to secure help from a nearby platoon. Returning with help, he placed men in positions to cover his advance as he moved to evacuate the wounded forward of his location. These efforts successfully completed, he then moved to the other flank and evacuated additional wounded men despite the fact that his every move drew fire from the enemy. Sp5c. Hagemeister's repeated heroic and selfless actions at the risk of his life saved the lives of many of his comrades and inspired their actions in repelling the enemy assault. Sp5c. Hagemeister's indomitable courage was in the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces and reflect great credit upon himself.
(Sources: wikipedia.org, armytimes.com, beldenlarkin.com)

Armed Service: Army

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