1. Overview
Don Carlos Faith Jr. (August 26, 1918 - December 1, 1950) was a distinguished officer in the United States Army who served with valor during World War II and the Korean War. His military career was marked by exceptional leadership and self-sacrifice, culminating in his posthumous award of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Korea. Faith's unwavering courage in the face of overwhelming odds exemplified the highest ideals of military service. In 1976, he was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia, solidifying his legacy as a heroic figure.
2. Early Life and Education
Don Carlos Faith Jr. was born on August 26, 1918, in Washington, Indiana. He was the son of Brigadier General Don Carlos Faith. Despite his family's military background, Faith was initially found medically unfit for admission to the United States Military Academy. Consequently, he enrolled at Georgetown University, where he became a brother of the Delta Phi Epsilon foreign service fraternity.
3. Early Military Career
With the impending entry of the United States into World War II, Congress passed the Selective Service Act in 1940. Faith was called for his draft physical but was initially rejected due to the same dental disqualification that had prevented his admission to the United States Military Academy. However, Faith successfully appealed the draft board's decision and was inducted into military service on June 25, 1941, shortly after graduating from Georgetown University. Following his completion of Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned as an officer on February 26, 1942.
4. World War II Service
Upon his commissioning, Lieutenant Faith was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he would spend the remainder of World War II. He served as an aide to Brigadier General Matthew Ridgway, who commanded the 82nd Airborne Division, from 1942 to 1944. Additionally, Faith held a position as a staff officer within the division. His service included participation in all of the division's combat jumps throughout the war, including campaigns in North Africa, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. During this period, Faith earned two Bronze Star Medals and was promoted to lieutenant colonel while serving on the staff of Major General Maxwell D. Taylor.
5. Korean War Service
Following the conclusion of World War II, Faith served with the military mission in China until its withdrawal. His next assignment led him to Japan, where he served with the 7th Infantry Division as a battalion commander. When the Korean War erupted in 1950, Faith and the 7th Infantry Division were swiftly deployed to Korea to aid in halting the North Korean invasion of South Korea. Faith assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment. His unit was part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team (31st RCT), a force tasked with pushing north towards the objective of reaching the Yalu River.
5.1. Battle of Chosin Reservoir
The 31st Regimental Combat Team, including Faith's battalion, was positioned on the eastern bank of the Chosin Reservoir when the People's Volunteer Army (PVA) of China launched a massive and ferocious attack on the night of November 27, 1950. This marked the beginning of the brutal Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a pivotal engagement that would continue until December 13, 1950. The battle subjected the United Nations forces, particularly the 31st RCT, to extreme cold, relentless enemy assaults, and severe logistical challenges.
5.2. Command and Final Actions
During a desperate attempt to drive south by convoy along the only available road on December 1, the commander of the 31st Regimental Combat Team, Colonel Allan D. MacLean, was killed in action. In this critical moment, command of the entire regiment fell to Lieutenant Colonel Faith. Later that same day, Faith bravely led an attack against a formidable PVA roadblock. During this engagement, he was severely wounded by a fragmentation grenade. Despite his injuries, Faith was loaded into the cab of a 2.5-ton truck, driven by Private First Class Russell L. Barney. This truck was the sole vehicle to successfully navigate through the final roadblock. As Barney continued to drive, their vehicle came under intense PVA small arms fire, during which Faith was hit again and tragically killed. At some point, Barney was forced to abandon the truck, leaving Faith's body in the vehicle. Barney eventually made it back to the safety of United Nations lines, where he reported the harrowing account of Faith's final moments.
5.3. Death, Missing Status, and Recovery
Following the engagement, Don Carlos Faith Jr. was initially listed as missing in action, as his body, along with many other fallen and wounded soldiers, was left behind in the abandoned convoy vehicles that failed to reach safety. His classification was later changed to killed in action, body not recovered. After 62 years, Faith's remains were finally recovered near the Chosin Reservoir by a Joint Prisoners of War, Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC) field recovery team. His identity was confirmed through DNA analysis, and the public was informed by the Defense Prisoner Of War - Missing Personnel Office on October 11, 2012. Lieutenant Colonel Faith was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on April 17, 2013, a solemn ceremony that brought closure to decades of uncertainty.
6. Medal of Honor
President Harry S. Truman approved the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel Don Carlos Faith Jr. This highest military decoration was presented to his wife, Barbara Faith, in Washington, D.C., by General Omar N. Bradley, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a ceremony held on June 21, 1951. The official Department of the Army award and citation were formally published in its General Order No. 59 on August 2, 1951.
6.1. Citation
The official citation for the Medal of Honor awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Don Carlos Faith Jr. reads as follows:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Don Carlos Faith Jr. (ASN: O-46673), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while Commanding the 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Hagaru-ri, (Chosin Reservoir) North Korea, from 27 November to 1 December 1950. When the enemy launched a fanatical attack against his battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Faith unhesitatingly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he moved about directing the action. When the enemy penetrated the positions, Lieutenant Colonel Faith personally led counterattacks to restore the position. During an attack by his battalion to effect a junction with another U.S. unit, Lieutenant Colonel 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. Lieutenant Colonel 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. Lieutenant Colonel 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 yd from the roadblock he was mortally wounded, but continued to direct the attack until the roadblock was overrun. Throughout the five days of action Lieutenant Colonel 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. Lieutenant Colonel 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. This award supersedes the prior award of the Silver Star (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for gallantry in action on November 27, 1950.
7. Other Awards and Decorations
Throughout his distinguished military career, Lieutenant Colonel Don Carlos Faith Jr. received numerous awards and decorations in recognition of his bravery and service. Beyond the Medal of Honor, his accolades include:
| Award / Decoration | Notes |
|---|---|
| Combat Infantryman Badge | With star |
| Parachutist Badge | With four combat jump stars |
| Silver Star | |
| Bronze Star Medal | (3 awards) |
| Purple Heart | (2 awards) |
| Presidential Unit Citation | |
| American Defense Service Medal | |
| American Campaign Medal | |
| European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal | With arrowhead and six campaign stars |
| World War II Victory Medal | |
| Army of Occupation Medal | |
| National Defense Service Medal | |
| Korean Service Medal | With three campaign stars |
| Order of the Red Star | Орден Красной ЗвездыRussian (Soviet Union) |
| United Nations Service Medal | |
| Republic of Korea War Service Medal | |
| Korean Presidential Unit Citation |
8. Dates of Rank
Don Carlos Faith Jr. progressed through the ranks of the United States Army as follows:
- Enlisted: June 25, 1941
- Second Lieutenant: February 27, 1942
- First Lieutenant: July 15, 1942
- Captain: February 24, 1943
- Major: May 10, 1944
- Lieutenant Colonel: June 16, 1945
9. Legacy and Commemoration
Don Carlos Faith Jr.'s heroic actions and ultimate sacrifice have been permanently etched into the history of the United States Army. In 1976, he was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia, a testament to his exemplary leadership and courage. His remains, recovered after 62 years, were finally laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on April 17, 2013, providing a place of remembrance for his family and the nation. His grave serves as a poignant reminder of his profound dedication and the sacrifices made during the Korean War.
