Robert E. Simanek

Robert E. Simanek
Robert E. Simanek
	Robert E. Simanek
Born	April 26, 1930; Detroit, Michigan
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1951–1953
Rank	Private First Class
Unit	2nd Battalion 5th Marines
Battles/wars	Korean War Battle of Bunker Hill;
Awards	Medal of Honor; Purple Heart

Robert Ernest Simanek (born April 26, 1930) is a retired United States Marine and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Korean War.

Simanek in 2010

Early life

Simanek was born on April 26, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from high school there in 1948 and worked for the Ford Motor Company and General Motors before he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on August 13, 1951.[1]

Marine Corps

Completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in October 1951, Simanek was ordered to Camp Pendleton, California, the following month. After further training at Camp Pendleton, he sailed for Korea in April 1952, joining Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines on May 6. He had earned two battle stars by the time of his Medal of Honor action.[1]

Simanek was serving with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, when the action occurred on August 18, 1952 during the Battle of Bunker Hill. His patrol had gone well forward of friendly lines to occupy an outpost when the Marines ran into a trap. He threw himself on an enemy grenade to save his comrades, and was severely wounded in the legs.[1][2]

Simanek received medical treatment aboard the hospital ship USS Haven and in Japan before being returned to the United States in September 1952. He then was hospitalized at Mare Island, California, and at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, until he was placed on the temporary disability retired list, March 1, 1953.[1]

The Medal of Honor was presented to him by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in a White House ceremony on October 27, 1953. He was the 36th Marine to receive the medal in the Korean War.[1]

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Simanek was also awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.[1]

Awards and honors

Medal of Honor			Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal		Korean Service Medal w/ 2 service stars		United Nations Korea Medal

Medal of Honor citation

Simanek's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 17 August 1952. While accompanying a patrol en route to occupy a combat outpost forward of friendly lines, Private First Class Simanek exhibited a high degree of courage and resolute spirit of self- sacrifice in protecting the lives of his fellow Marines. With his unit ambushed by an intense concentration of enemy mortar and small-arms fire, and suffering heavy casualties he was forced to seek cover with the remaining members of the patrol in the near-by trench line. Determined to save his comrades when a hostile grenade was hurled into their midst, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body and shielding his fellow Marines from serious injury or death. Gravely wounded as a result of his heroic action Private First Class Simanek, by his daring initiative and great personal valor in the face of almost certain death, served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[3]

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References

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

"PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT ERNEST SIMANEK, USMC (RETIRED)". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. United States Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
Collier, Peter (2006). Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty. New York: Workman Publishing Company. p. 239. ISBN 978-1-57965-314-9.
"Medal of Honor Recipients – Korean War". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. December 3, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

External links

Phalen, Lane. "Three Who Acted", AMVETS Magazine, 2002. Retrieved 2006-06-23

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[whoswho-1] "PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT ERNEST SIMANEK, USMC (RETIRED)". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. United States Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

[collier-2] Collier, Peter (2006). Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty. New York: Workman Publishing Company. p. 239. ISBN 978-1-57965-314-9.

[citation-3] "Medal of Honor Recipients – Korean War". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. December 3, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2011.