Heroes: Charles G. Abrell

Charles Abrell was born in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1931; attended school in Las Vegas, Nevada, enlisting in the US Marine Corps in August of 1948. After completing training at Parris Island, South Carolina, Abrell was assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, then the USS Noble and finally the 1^st Marine Division in Korea.

Awarded Medal of Honor posthumously by President Harry S. Truman to Corporal Abrell, Charles G. - Company E, 2d Battalion, 1^st Marine Division, USMC; Hangnyong, Korea, 10 June 1951.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a fire team leader in Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces. While advancing with his platoon in an attack against well-concealed and heavily fortified enemy hill positions, Cpl. Abrell voluntarily rushed forward through the assaulting squad which was pinned down by a hail of intense and accurate automatic-weapons fire from a hostile bunker situated on commanding ground. Although previously wounded by enemy hand grenade fragments, he proceeded to carry out a bold, single-handed attack against the bunker, exhorting his comrades to follow him. Sustaining 2 additional wounds as he stormed toward the emplacement, he resolutely pulled the pin from a grenade clutched in his hand and hurled himself bodily into the bunker with the live missile still in his grasp. Fatally wounded in the resulting explosion which killed the entire enemy gun crew within the stronghold, Cpl. Abrell, by his valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, served to inspire all his comrades and contributed directly to the success of his platoon in attaining its objective. His superb courage and heroic initiative sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Charles Abrell is buried in the West Lawn Cemetery in Farmersburg, Indiana.