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U.S. Constitution
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Tribute in honor of Tibor
Rubin, Americas Newest Medal of Honor Recipient
Mr. Tibor Rubin, 76 of
Garden Grove, will be honored on December 15, 2005 at the California State
Military Museum in Sacramento. On September 23, 2005, Korean War veteran
Corporal Tibor Rubin was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest
military award, by President Bush in the East Room of the White House.
The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S. and the California State Military Museum
will be hosting a tribute and reception for Mr. Rubin on December 15, from
5:00 to 7:00 pm at the museum at 1119 Second St. in Sacramento.
Mr. Rubin, survivor of a Nazi concentration camp, Hungarian immigrant, and
Korean War POW is the most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor. Many
minorities were passed over for recognition of their valorous acts during WWII
and Korea due to institutional prejudice, but Mr. Rubin's multiple acts of
bravery during the Korean War have finally been officially recognized. The
following is Mr. Rubin's citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty:
Corporal Tibor Rubin distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during the
period from July 23, 1950, to April 20, 1953, while serving as a rifleman with
Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the Republic of
Korea. While his unit was retreating to the Pusan Perimeter, Corporal Rubin
was assigned to stay behind to keep open the vital Taegu-Pusan Road link used
by his withdrawing unit. During the ensuing battle, overwhelming numbers of
North Korean troops assaulted a hill defended solely by Corporal Rubin. He
inflicted a staggering number of casualties on the attacking force during his
personal 24-hour battle, single-handedly slowing the enemy advance and
allowing the 8th Cavalry Regiment to complete its withdrawal successfully.
Following the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, the 8th Cavalry Regiment
proceeded northward and advanced into North Korea. During the advance, he
helped capture several hundred North Korean soldiers. On October 30, 1950,
Chinese forces attacked his unit at Unsan, North Korea, during a massive
nighttime assault. That night and throughout the next day, he manned a .30
caliber machine gun at the south end of the unit's line after three previous
gunners became casualties. He continued to man his machine gun until his
ammunition was exhausted. His determined stand slowed the pace of the enemy
advance in his sector, permitting the remnants of his unit to retreat
southward. As the battle raged, Corporal Rubin was
severely wounded and
captured by the Chinese. Choosing to remain in the prison camp despite
offers from the Chinese to return him to his native Hungary, Corporal Rubin
disregarded his own personal safety and immediately began sneaking out of the
camp at night in search of food for his comrades. Breaking into enemy food
storehouses and gardens, he risked certain torture or death if caught.
Corporal Rubin provided not only food to the starving Soldiers, but also
desperately needed medical care and moral support for the sick and wounded of
the POW camp. His brave, selfless efforts were directly attributed to saving
the lives of as many as forty of his fellow prisoners. Corporal Rubin's
gallant actions in close contact with the enemy and unyielding courage and
bravery while a prisoner of war are in the highest traditions of military
service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Contact: Ernie McPherson at (916) 442-2883
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