Upgrade Your Heroes: MOH Recipient LTC Don Faith, US Army

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: America needs better heroes. Ever since we were kids, my brothers and I have been inspired by military history and the heroic actions of the warfighters who’ve come before us — it’s a big part of the reason why we joined up in the first place.

 

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the death of one such hero: LTC Don Faith, US Army, who was killed in action while commanding the 1st Battalion of the 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, during the Korean War. It took 62 years, but in 2013, his remains were finally recovered and interred in Arlington National Cemetery by members of The Old Guard (pictured).

 

We’ve reproduced LTC Faith’s MOH citation below in the hopes that we can, in some small way, help preserve the memory of his sacrifice and the legacy of his courage for those of us who follow him. 

 

Lt. Col. Faith, commanding 1st Battalion, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in the area of the Chosin Reservoir. When the enemy launched a fanatical attack against his battalion, Lt. Col. Faith unhesitatingly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he moved about directing the action. When the enemy penetrated the positions, Lt. Col. Faith personally led counterattacks to restore the position. During an attack by his battalion to effect a junction with another U.S. unit, Lt. Col. Faith reconnoitered the route for, and personally directed, the first elements of his command across the ice-covered reservoir and then directed the movement of his vehicles which were loaded with wounded until all of his command had passed through the enemy fire. Having completed this he crossed the reservoir himself. Assuming command of the force his unit had joined he was given the mission of attacking to join friendly elements to the south. Lt. Col. Faith, although physically exhausted in the bitter cold, organized and launched an attack which was soon stopped by enemy fire. He ran forward under enemy small-arms and automatic weapons fire, got his men on their feet and personally led the fire attack as it blasted its way through the enemy ring. As they came to a hairpin curve, enemy fire from a roadblock again pinned the column down. Lt. Col. Faith organized a group of men and directed their attack on the enemy positions on the right flank. He then placed himself at the head of another group of men and in the face of direct enemy fire led an attack on the enemy roadblock, firing his pistol and throwing grenades. When he had reached a position approximately 30 yards from the roadblock he was mortally wounded, but continued to direct the attack until the roadblock was overrun. Throughout the 5 days of action Lt. Col. Faith gave no thought to his safety and did not spare himself. His presence each time in the position of greatest danger was an inspiration to his men. Also, the damage he personally inflicted firing from his position at the head of his men was of material assistance on several occasions. Lt. Col. Faith's outstanding gallantry and noble self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty reflect the highest honor on him and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.