Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. was born on 2 July 1924, near Hatfield, WI. He was a member of the Ho-Chunk Native American tribe and had previously served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

Red Cloud was a Corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was serving with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions near Chonghyon, Korea, on 5 November 1950.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Medal of Honor Citation

Cpl. Red Cloud, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. From his position on the point of a ridge immediately in front of the company command post he was the first to detect the approach of the Chinese Communist forces and give the alarm as the enemy charged from a brush-covered area less than 100 feet from him. Springing up, he delivered devastating pointblank automatic rifle fire into the advancing enemy. His accurate and intense fire checked this assault and gained time for the company to consolidate its defense. With utter fearlessness he maintained his firing position until severely wounded by enemy fire. Refusing assistance he pulled himself to his feet and, wrapping his arm around a tree, continued his deadly fire again, until he was fatally wounded. This heroic act stopped the enemy from overrunning his company's position and gained time for reorganization and evacuation of the wounded. Cpl. Red Cloud's dauntless courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflects the highest credit upon himself and upholds the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.

G.O. No.: 26, 25 April 1951.

Honors

On Armed Forces Day, 18 May 1957, the United States Army named Camp Red Cloud after him, in recognition of his actions.

The U.S. Navy named USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR-313) in his honor in 1999.

A plaque honoring him (as Mitchell RedCloud Jr.) has been erected in Black River Falls, WI. It is at the Field of Honor memorial by the Chamber of Commerce Building, 101 S. 2nd Street.

A park in his honor was opened in 1953 at 520 Powell Street on the north side of La Crosse, WI.

Death and Burial

Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. was killed in action on 5 November 1950. He is buried at Decorah Cemetery in Black River Falls, Jackson County, WI.

The entrance sign to the cemetery contains these words: "Burial Place of CPL. Mitchell RedCloud Jr. - Congressional Medal of Honor Winner."

* Note: Military records show his year of birth as 1924; his headstone bears the date 1925.