Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mitchell Red Cloud Jr.
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Red Cloud in his Marine Corps uniform
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| Born | 2 July 1925 Hatfield, Wisconsin |
| Died | 5 November 1950 (aged 25) near Chonghyon, North Pyongan Province, North Korea |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Marine Corps United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1946 (USMC) 1948–1950 (USA) |
| Rank | Sergeant (USMC) Corporal (USA) |
| Service number | 16299515 |
| Unit | 2nd Marine Raider Battalion 29th Marine Regiment 19th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War II
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| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart Medal (2) |
Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. (born July 2, 1925 – died November 5, 1950) was a brave American soldier. He served as a corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was killed in action while fighting for his country.
Corporal Red Cloud was given the Medal of Honor after his death. This is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. He earned it for his amazing courage near Chonghyon, North Korea, on November 5, 1950. His actions went "above and beyond the call of duty." Before joining the Army, he was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and fought in World War II.
Red Cloud was born in Hatfield, Wisconsin. He was a Ho-Chunk Native American. He left high school early to join the Marine Corps during World War II. He first fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. Health problems later sent him back to the U.S. in 1943 to get better. He recovered and fought again with the 6th Marine Division in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
In 1948, Red Cloud joined the U.S. Army. When the Korean War started in June 1950, he was sent to Korea. His unit, the 19th Infantry, was among the first American troops to fight. They faced tough battles, including the Battle of Taejon and the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.
On the night of November 5, 1950, Red Cloud was watching for enemies. He saw a surprise attack coming from Chinese forces. Even though he was seriously wounded multiple times, he fought alone against the Chinese. At one point, he asked his men to tie him to a tree because he was too weak to stand. The next morning, his company found him surrounded by many fallen Chinese soldiers. His bravery warned his company, saving them from being overwhelmed. Because of these heroic actions, he received the Medal of Honor.
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Early Life and Joining the Military
Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. was born on July 2, 1925, in Hatfield, Wisconsin. He was the oldest son of Mitchell Red Cloud and Lillian Red Cloud. His family belonged to the Ho-Chunk Native American tribe.
Red Cloud went to Neillsville High School in Neillsville, Wisconsin. Many students there were Native American, and many joined the military after school. At age 16, Red Cloud decided to join the United States Marine Corps. His father gave him permission.
Serving in the Marine Corps
Red Cloud joined the Marine Corps on August 11, 1941. This was the earliest he could legally enlist. He was sent to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines in California.
As World War II grew, Red Cloud volunteered for a special unit. On April 14, 1942, he joined the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, also known as "Carlson's Raiders." This was an elite Marine light infantry unit. They were known for being very fit and skilled.
His main mission with the Raiders was the Battle of Guadalcanal. Red Cloud landed on Guadalcanal on November 4, 1942. His unit then went into the jungle for 28 days. Their job was to stop Japanese artillery and clear out enemy troops. During this time, Red Cloud got sick often with tropical diseases. He left the island on December 4, 1942, for medical care. He lost a lot of weight from his illness.
Red Cloud returned to the United States in February 1943 to get better. Doctors offered him a medical discharge, but he said no. He wanted to go back to a combat unit. His request was approved. He was then sent to the 29th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division. This unit took part in the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945. On May 17, he was injured in battle and sent to Guam.
His unit fought hard to secure Okinawa. After months of fighting, they went to Guam to get ready for an invasion of mainland Japan. But these plans were canceled when Japan surrendered. Red Cloud was honorably discharged as a sergeant from the Marine Corps on November 9, 1945.
Joining the Army
Red Cloud decided to return to the military in 1948. He joined the United States Army. He was assigned to the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. This regiment was part of the American forces occupying Japan. When he joined the Army, he could not keep his sergeant rank from the Marines.
When the Korean War began on June 25, 1950, Red Cloud's unit was among the first sent to Korea. In July, his division fought fiercely against North Korean troops. They tried to stop the invasion of South Korea. The 19th Infantry fought in the Battle of Taejon and later at the Naktong River.
His unit then moved to the Pusan Perimeter campaign. They fought in tough battles during August and September 1950. Red Cloud's experience as a combat veteran was very valuable. He helped lead the less experienced soldiers.
After the Battle of Inchon, the North Korean Army was largely defeated. Red Cloud's unit was part of the Eighth United States Army that chased the North Koreans north. However, in October 1950, China launched a surprise attack. By early November, Red Cloud's unit had moved close to the Ch'ongch'on River.
His Heroic Stand
On the night of November 5, Red Cloud's company was holding positions on Hill 123, near Chonghyon. This was just north of the river.
Red Cloud, who was a corporal, was watching for enemies in front of his company's main position. In the middle of the night, he heard strange sounds. He then saw many Chinese troops trying to surprise the Americans. Red Cloud quickly warned his unit and began firing at the Chinese with his rifle.
His assistant in the foxhole was killed by Chinese fire. Red Cloud was then seriously wounded. But he refused to leave his post. He kept firing accurately at the Chinese, causing many casualties. His actions were crucial because they warned his company about the attack, preventing a surprise ambush.
Even after being wounded again, Red Cloud propped himself against a tree. He continued to fire, even though he was exposed to heavy Chinese fire. He was hit multiple times during the fight. Severely injured and too weak to stand, he told a soldier to tie him upright to the tree. He then ordered the soldier and other wounded men to go back to the main positions. The Chinese eventually took over Red Cloud's position and the hill.
Red Cloud's brave actions gave his company time to prepare. They were able to stop the Chinese attack. His actions also helped his company evacuate other wounded soldiers. The next morning, when soldiers returned to find Red Cloud's body, they found it surrounded by many fallen Chinese troops.
Burial and Honors
Red Cloud was first buried in a UN cemetery in Korea. But in 1955, his body was moved to Wisconsin. He was buried at the Decorah Cemetery in Winnebago Mission, Wisconsin, following Ho-Chunk tribal customs.
In April 1951, Red Cloud's mother received the Medal of Honor. General of the Army Omar Bradley presented it to her at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C..
On Armed Forces Day, May 18, 1957, the United States Army named Camp Red Cloud in South Korea after him. This was to honor his brave actions. Red Cloud Range at Fort Benning, Georgia, was also named for him.
A park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, was dedicated in Red Cloud's honor. A memorial park was also dedicated to him, called the Red Cloud Highway Memorial Park. It is next to the Black Hawk Powwow Grounds in Komensky, Wisconsin. A part of Wisconsin Highway 54 was renamed Red Cloud Highway. The American Legion post in Adams, Wisconsin, was also renamed for him. The Ho-Chunk Nation celebrates Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. Day every 4th of July.
In 1967, a monument was built for him in the cemetery. Another plaque honoring Red Cloud was later put up in Black River Falls.
In 1999, the United States Navy named a new ship after him. It was the USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR-313), a large cargo ship. His daughter, Annita, christened the ship. She wore traditional clothing for the ceremony. Many people who served with her father and several high-ranking officers attended.
Documentary
Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. is one of the Korean War heroes featured in the 2013 documentary "Finnigan's War." The film was directed by Conor Timmis. Actor Mark Hamill narrates Red Cloud's Medal of Honor story in the movie.
Military Awards
Red Cloud received many military awards and decorations for his service, including:
- Medal of Honor
- Purple Heart Medal (with one Oak Leaf Cluster, meaning he received it twice)
- Navy Presidential Unit Citation
- Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with two bronze stars)
- World War II Victory Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Korean Service Medal (with three bronze stars)
- Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
- United Nations Service Medal for Korea
- Korean War Service Medal
See also
