This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Pamela LaVerne Jeans-Historian
to remember
Marine Cpl Charles Gene Abrell.
If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Casualty Info
Home Town Terre Haute. IN
Last Address Terre Haute. IN
Casualty Date Jun 10, 1951
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Multiple Fragmentation Wounds
Location Korea, South
Conflict Korean War
Location of Interment West Lawn Cemetery - Farmersburg, Indiana
Cpl. Charles Abrell enlisted on 12 August 1948 from Terre Haute, Indiana. Following training, he entered combat in Korea during the Inchon Invasion.
He participated in combat at Inchon, Seoul, Wonsan, Chosin Reservoir, and Hanghum before he was killed in action at Hwachon on 10 June 1951.
He was initially interred in the United Nations Military Cemetery in Tanggok, South Korea
Cpl. Abrell was two months short of his 20th birthday. His Medal was awarded to him posthumously 4 September 952, and was presented to his mother at the Pentagon by Secretary of the Navy Dan A. Kimball.
Fifty years after his death, on June 10, 2001, a statue of Corporal Abrell was erected to honor him on the grounds of the Vigo County Courthouse, Terre Haute, Indiana.
Comments/Citation:
Medal of Honor
Awarded for actions during the Korean War
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Corporal Charles Gene Abrell, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Fire Team Leader in Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces on 10 June 1951, near Hangnyong, Korea.
While advancing with his platoon in an attack against well-concealed and heavily fortified enemy hill positions, Corporal Abrell voluntarily rushed forward through the assaulting squad which was pinned down by a hail of intense and accurate automatic-weapons fire from a hostile bunker situated on commanding ground. Although previously wounded by enemy hand grenade fragments, he proceeded to carry out a bold, single-handed attack against the bunker, exhorting his comrades to follow him.
Sustaining two additional wounds as he stormed toward the emplacement, he resolutely pulled the pin from a grenade clutched in his hand and hurled himself bodily into the bunker with the live missile still in his grasp. Fatally wounded in the resulting explosion which killed the entire enemy guncrew within the stronghold, Corporal Abrell, by his valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, served to inspire all his comrades and contributed directly to the success of his platoon in attaining its objective.
His superb courage and heroic initiative sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: 10-Jun-51
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Corporal
Company: Company E
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 1st Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.)
