Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. (1924-1950) was a Native American soldier of the Ho-Chunk tribe (formerly known as Winnebago) who served with distinction in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War. Born in Hatfield, Wisconsin, he demonstrated incredible bravery and sacrifice during his military service, ultimately being awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions in the Korean War.
Early Life:
Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. was born on July 2, 1924, in Hatfield, Wisconsin, to Mitchell and Nellie Red Cloud. He grew up in the traditional ways of the Ho-Chunk tribe, learning about hunting, fishing, and tribal customs from his family and community members. Before joining the military, Red Cloud worked in various labor-intensive jobs, including farming and lumberjacking.
Military Service:
Red Cloud enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1941 at the age of 17, serving in the Pacific theater during World War II. He participated in numerous campaigns and battles, including the Battle of Guadalcanal, where he was wounded in action. After the war, he was honorably discharged from the Marines and returned to civilian life in Wisconsin.
In 1948, Red Cloud reenlisted, this time in the United States Army, and was stationed in Japan with Company E, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, his unit was among the first American forces to be deployed to Korea.
Medal of Honor:
On November 5, 1950, while serving as an acting squad leader, Red Cloud was manning a listening post near Chonghyon, North Korea. He identified a surprise attack from Chinese forces and immediately alerted his company. Despite being severely wounded, Red Cloud continued to fire at the approaching enemy and refused assistance, insisting that others attend to the more critically injured soldiers.
Red Cloud's actions significantly slowed the enemy advance, giving his company time to regroup and mount a counterattack. He continued to fight until he was fatally wounded, ultimately succumbing to his injuries. For his extraordinary heroism and selflessness, Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on April 3, 1951.
Legacy:
Mitchell Red Cloud Jr.'s incredible bravery and dedication to his fellow soldiers have left a lasting legacy. The U.S. Army named a base in South Korea in his honor (Camp Red Cloud), and a United States Navy ship, the USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR-313), was also named after him. In his home state of Wisconsin, the Ho-Chunk Nation annually commemorates his service with Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. Day. His memory continues to serve as an inspiration to Native American soldiers and the broader community.
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Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. (Winnebago)
Medal of Honor
A Winnebago from Wisconsin, and a Corporal in Company E., 19th Infantry Regiment in Korea. On 5 November 1950, Red Cloud was on a ridge guarding his company command post when he was surprised by Chinese communist forces. He sounded the alarm and stayed in his position firing his automatic rifle and point-blank to check the assault. This gave his company time to consolidate their defenses. After being severely wounded by enemy fire, he refused assistance and continued firing upon the enemy until he was fatally wounded. His heroic action prevented the enemy from overrunning his company's position and gained time for evacuation of the wounded.