Col. Reginald Myers Dies; Medal of Honor Recipient

The Wasington ComPost ^ | Wednesday, November 23, 2005 | Matt Schudel

[7thson]

Reginald R. Myers, 85, a Marine Corps colonel who received the Medal of Honor in the Korean War for leading his vastly outnumbered force in an assault on a key position during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, died Oct. 23 at a hospice in West Palm Beach, Fla., of the effects of a stroke. He had lived in Jupiter, Fla., since moving there from Annandale in 1993.

[7thson]

While looking through the ComPost this morning for Thanksgiving Day sales, I saw this in the Metro section. I was surprised not to find it posted.

I was a memeber of the commissioning crew of the USS Chosin (CG 65) and another Marine MOH winner spoke at our commissioning. It was not Col. Myers. Semper Fi, Colonel. Go with God.

[kabar]

MYERS, REGINALD R.

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, (Rein.). Place and date: Near Hagaru-ri, Korea, 29 November 1950. Entered service at: Boise, Idaho. Born: 26 November 1919, Boise, Idaho. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as executive officer of the 3d Battalion, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Assuming command of a composite unit of Army and Marine service and headquarters elements totaling approximately 250 men, during a critical stage in the vital defense of the strategically important military base at Hagaru-ri, Maj. Myers immediately initiated a determined and aggressive counterattack against a well-entrenched and cleverly concealed enemy force numbering an estimated 4,000. Severely handicapped by a lack of trained personnel and experienced leaders in his valiant efforts to regain maximum ground prior to daylight, he persisted in constantly exposing himself to intense, accurate, and sustained hostile fire in order to direct and supervise the employment of his men and to encourage and spur them on in pressing the attack. Inexorably moving forward up the steep, snow-covered slope with his depleted group in the face of apparently insurmountable odds, he concurrently directed artillery and mortar fire with superb skill and although losing 170 of his men during 14 hours of raging combat in subzero temperatures, continued to reorganize his unit and spearhead the attack which resulted in 600 enemy killed and 500 wounded. By his exceptional and valorous leadership throughout, Maj. Myers contributed directly to the success of his unit in restoring the perimeter. His resolute spirit of self-sacrifice and unfaltering devotion to duty enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service .

[Americanexpat]

Another grat American warrior that our young people know nothing about.

[7thson]

Another example of the humilty of these great warriors. The obit states hardly anyone knew of his service much less being a MOH winner. I wonder what the libs would say if someone like him stood up and called Murtha a coward.

[McGavin999]

Good job colonel, your brothers await you.

[Americanexpat]

As a young SPC the end of my first tour in Vietnam I was at the out processing station waiting to catch a flight stateside. Unfortunately I was picked for shit burning detail. This is one of the most unpleasant details you can draw.

Needless to say I was highly ticked off at drawing this detail my last day in Vietnam. Here I was a war fighting grunt at the end of my combat tour and I got the shitty end of the stick - literally. The NCO supervising the detail just let me rant and carry on. I eventually noticed that he had two stars above his Combat Infantryman´s badge, which meant he was a three war veteran. We got to talking and he told me he had won the MOH at Kasserene Pass in North Africa. Needless to say I was a little ashamed of myself, after all if this old warrior with the nations highest award for bravery could put up with this crap detail then who was I to be complaining?

[GAAQ]

Colonel,

May GOD welcome and comfort you for all eternity.

God Bless

[fredhead]

Semper Fi, Colonel,

and as we Sailors say,

Fair Winds and Following Seas

St. Peter's holding the gate for you.

[eyespysomething]

We'll have to get our Medal of Honor Recipients book out and read more about him.

Heaven has another hero! God bless him.

[Preachin']

It's always neat to read a Medal of Honor citation for a man who lived through the ordeal.

A great majority of MOH winners get it posthumously.

[Preachin']

"We got to talking and he told me he had won the MOH at Kasserene Pass in North Africa. Needless to say I was a little ashamed of myself, after all if this old warrior with the nations highest award for bravery could put up with this crap detail then who was I to be complaining?"

I would never forget that.

That story rocks!

[Appalled but Not Surprised]

My high school history teacher fought at the Frozen Chosen, very likely in this man's unit. He woke up one morning with several score dead Chinese in front of his machine gun position--one he had manned alone all night. He was 17.

He told us that story the first day of class and concluded with the following immortal warning: "History is not what happens in old books; history is what is going to happen to you."

[fnord]

what is the name of your book?

would you recommend it (or another one)?

thanks

[Eagles6]

Rest in Peace, Co. Myers.

[Eagles6]

Rest in Peace, Col. Myers.

[Gritty]

Col. Myers, your country salutes you!

[wordsofearnest]

Task Force Faith bump (Col. Faith was from my hometown).

[GreenLanternCorps]

RIP Col. Myers, thank you for your service to your country...

[oh8eleven]

My 60s era "Guidebook for Marines" used this picture while describing the Korean War and the battle for the "Frozen Chosin." I can't even imagine the suffering. Semper Fi ...

[Kimmers]

Another hero in heaven......God Bless and Semper Fi