Lee Ross Hartell
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Lee Ross Hartell was born on 23 August 1923 in Philadelphia, PA. He was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 27 August 1951.

On 26 August 1951, First Lieutenant Hartell was on the ground as a forward observer with B Company, 9th Infantry Regiment at the base of Hill 700 near Kobanson-ni. Hill 700 was attacked and taken by B Company that day. But the Chinese mounted a major counterattack at 0400 hours. Hartell walked the artillery fire right up the hill on top of the charging enemy. Although many of the enemy were cut down, they just kept coming. Although wounded, he kept calling in artillery fire onto his hilltop. Finally at 0630 hours, Hartell was hit in the chest by a bullet and his phone went dead.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Battery A, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Kobangsan-ni, Korea, 27 August 1951

Entered service at: Danbury, CT.

G.O. No.: 16, 1 February 1952

Citation:

1st. Lt. Hartell, a member of Battery A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. During the darkness of early morning, the enemy launched a ruthless attack against friendly positions on a rugged mountainous ridge. 1st Lt. Hartell, attached to Company B, 9th Infantry Regiment, as forward observer, quickly moved his radio to an exposed vantage on the ridge line to adjust defensive fires. Realizing the tactical advantage of illuminating the area of approach, he called for flares and then directed crippling fire into the onrushing assailants. At this juncture a large force of hostile troops swarmed up the slope in banzai charge and came within 10 yards of 1st Lt. Hartell's position. 1st Lt. Hartell sustained a severe hand wound in the ensuing encounter but grasped the microphone with his other hand and maintained his magnificent stand until the front and left flank of the company were protected by a close-in wall of withering fire, causing the fanatical foe to disperse and fall back momentarily. After the numerically superior enemy overran an outpost and was closing on his position, 1st Lt. Hartell, in a final radio call, urged the friendly elements to fire both batteries continuously. Although mortally wounded, 1st Lt. Hartell's intrepid actions contributed significantly to stemming the onslaught and enabled his company to maintain the strategic strongpoint. His consummate valor and unwavering devotion to duty reflect lasting glory on himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service.

Other Medals

In addition to the Medal of Honor, First Lieutenant Hartell was awarded the Purple Heart.

Honors

One of the main roads at Fort Sill, OK, was re-named Hartell Boulevard in his honor.

The Connecticut Army National Guard has named its training installation in Windsor Locks, CT, Camp Hartell in his honor. He had been a resident of Danbury, CT.

Camp Hartell, 7th Infantry Division, 179th Artillery near Munsani, Korea, is also named in his honor. The "Hartell House" is a general officers mess named in his honor which has proudly served the Commanding Generals of United Nations Command, ROK/US Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, and Eighth U.S. Army.

Death and Burial

First Lieutenant Lee Ross Hartell was killed in action on 27 August 1951. He is buried at New Saint Peter Cemetery in Danbury, Fairfield County, CT.