Fred B. McGee (30 May 1930 – 3 January 2020) was a United States Army soldier of African American descent who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on 3 January 2025 for his actions on 16 June 1952 during the Korean War.
Fred B. McGee was born on 30 May 1930, to Spanish and Perrie McGee in Steubenville, Ohio. He was the sixth of eight children — six boys, two girls.
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Cpl. Fred B. McGee distinguished himself by gallantry in action near Tang-Wan-Ni, Korea, on June 16, 1952, during an assault on enemy fortified positions. As gunner on a light machine gun in a weapons squad, McGee delivered a heavy volume of supporting fire from an exposed position despite intense enemy machine-gun and mortar fire directly on his location.
Though forced to move his gun several times, he continued to support the assault and provide covering fire to the assault elements of his platoon. When his leader and several other members of his squad were wounded, he assumed command and moved the squad forward to a more exposed position to deliver neutralizing fire on an enemy machine gun.
When his machine gunner was mortally wounded, he again took over the gun. He then ordered his squad to withdraw and voluntarily remained behind to help evacuate the wounded and dead. Though wounded in the face, he heroically exposed himself by standing straight up under intense enemy machine-gun and mortar fire and attempted to evacuate the body of the company runner. Forced to abandon the body, he aided a wounded man and moved him to safety through a huge volume of enemy mortar and artillery fire.
McGee displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His unyielding courage and bravery, and his profound concern for his fellow Soldiers are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.[1]
United States Army
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