Veteran’s day is November 11. The month of November is a time to reflect on the courage and sacrifices our Veterans have made on behalf of all Americans.
I want to honor my grandfather, Corporal Fred B. McGee, a Korean War veteran, and Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient, by sharing his story.
My grandfather was born on Memorial Day in 1930, one of five children born to Spanish and Perrie McGee. Spanish was the inventor of the tire chain in 1928. He later sold the patent to the U.S. Army.
Fred McGee was an excellent baseball & football player in high school. After graduation, he began working in the steel mill before the Army drafted him.
In the summer of 1951, McGee completed basic training with an all-black regiment, and before his 22nd birthday was fighting in the Korean War. Once his training was complete, he was sent to Yokohama, Japan, before arriving in Korea in 1952.
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Corporal McGee served in the first desegregated unit and was put on a truck destined for Heartbreak Ridge, the front lines of this war. The conditions included temperatures well below freezing and going days without food or relief.
“Our group lost about 50 men, but we killed a lot more North Koreans,” he said while seated comfortably in his home with his wife, Cornell. “You are like everyone else; you are scared. The battlefield front line is the coldest place ever. It is snow-covered, and you can easily get frost-bitten.”
While on patrol as a light machine gunner, his troops came under fire. Fighting from an exposed position, McGee’s squad leader was wounded, his machine gunner was killed, and his second in command was frozen from shock. McGee was forced to assume command and fire on enemy positions.
“The Koreans were blowing horns and whistles to confuse us. While we were heading up a hill, our group ran into an enemy outpost, and I had three machine guns firing at me. Our corporal was hit in the back, and I got hit in the leg and on the side of the head,” the decorated veteran explained. After receiving the order for his platoon to withdraw, McGee volunteered to stay behind to help evacuate the wounded and dead, despite his injuries. McGee’s Silver Star was the result of his brave, selfless, and heroic actions on June 16, 1952.
McGee’s efforts were later memorialized in a 1953 comic book, “Heroic Comics.” The comic book was dedicated to telling the stories of heroic soldiers. Unfortunately, McGee was saddened to see himself, an African-American soldier, depicted as a white man in the book.
Although McGee was informed by his Captain that he was submitting his name for the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery given to an individual in the United States, his commander’s passed away before the nomination could be made. Without first-hand testimony, the award hasn’t been made.
In addition to the Silver Star, he won two Purple Hearts, the United Nations Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Service Star. He is a recipient of the 2019 Jefferson County, Ohio Service Commission Veteran of the Year award, was honored by the State Senate and is a recipient of the Korean Ambassadors Peace Medal. McGee is also an inductee to the Ohio Military Hall of Fame, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Corporal Fred McGee went on to marry my grandmother, Cornell McGee. They have been married for 64 years and have raised five children, 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
After being discharged from the Army, McGee returned to the Ohio Valley, where he played semi-pro baseball and retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Mill after 40 years.
At 89 years young, he continues to be our hero and inspiration. My family strives to carry on his legacy of service. Two of Fred McGee’s great-grandchildren attend Santa Catalina and Stevenson Upper School, and my husband, an active duty Marine, is attending the Naval Post Graduate School.
My grandfather’s story is one of perseverance and bravery. I’ve learned a lot from him, mainly to never give up and to always be a leader. In the darkest and most difficult times, he was able to lead and keep fighting.
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