McGee gets local marker
McGee gets local marker
Trending
SMITHFIELD -- A grave marker recognizing Fred B. McGee as a Medal of Honor recipient was unveiled Sunday during a ceremony hosted by the Jefferson County Veterans Association.
The marker, identical to the white gravestones seen at Arlington National Cemetery, was provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Frank Santa, commander of the Jefferson County Veterans Association, served as master of ceremonies for the event, held at Northern Cemetery. He discussed the yearslong effort of research, communication and meetings with federal and Army officials undertaken by three determined people -- Victoria Secrest, McGee’s daughter; the late Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Sr.; and JCVA Adjutant Barry Bardone.
Thomas Graham performed the national anthem and “How Great Thou Art,” joined by many in attendance.
Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. spoke about McGee’s actions in Korea on June 16, 1952, and the friendship between his father and McGee.
Jefferson County Commissioner Eric Timmons spoke about the commitment to others and the selflessness McGee demonstrated at the risk of his own life. Bardone explained the long and sometimes difficult effort to have McGee’s Silver Star upgraded to the Medal of Honor. He also described attending the White House ceremony honoring McGee. McGee’s grandson, Riley McGee, read the Medal of Honor citation.
McGee’s family was presented the Medal of Honor by President Joe Biden on Jan. 3, 2025.
Born May 30, 1930, in Steubenville, McGee, who was Black, served with King Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, whose motto is “Truth and Courage.”
The events that led to his Medal of Honor occurred June 16, 1952, at Hill 528 in Tang-Wan-Ni, Korea, during an assault on entrenched enemy positions. A light machine gunner in a weapons squad, McGee provided a heavy volume of supporting fire while exposed to intense machine gun and mortar fire. His support for his platoon continued even after he was forced to reposition his weapon several times.
After his squad leader and several others were wounded, McGee assumed command and moved his squad forward to provide suppressing fire against an enemy machine gun. He again took over operation of his squad’s machine gun after the gunner was mortally wounded.
McGee directed his squad to withdraw but remained behind to help evacuate casualties. Although wounded in the face, he stood fully exposed to enemy fire while assisting wounded soldiers. He was forced to leave behind the body of his company runner but successfully helped move another wounded soldier to safety despite continuous enemy fire.
A Medal of Honor biography from the Army states that McGee “displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His unyielding courage and bravery, and his profound concern for his fellow soldiers are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.”
“Truth and Courage” is something McGee exemplified “on Hill 528 ... (and) throughout his life,” according to Secrest.
Also attending Sunday’s ceremony was McGee’s granddaughter, Kristen Lee Bailey. She said she had considered sharing family stories that illustrated her grandfather’s character but instead chose to focus on what she believed he would want others to remember.
“Cpl. McGee naturally exemplified honor. He showed respect and kindness to everyone he encountered. When I hear about his acts of valor on the battlefield, it comes as no surprise because he was always selfless, loving and honorable in everything he did and in every aspect of his life.”
McGee was 89 when he died Jan. 3, 2020.
A decorated combat veteran, McGee was named the Jefferson County Veterans Service Commission Veteran of the Year for 2019-20 but lived only three months into his term.
In 2002, McGee was inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor. A recipient of two Purple Hearts for wounds suffered on Hill 528, he also was inducted into the Military Order of the Purple Heart Hall of Fame in Newburgh, New York.
He was a life member of the American Legion and a past commander of Post 396; a Distinguished Member of the 17th Infantry Regiment; recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star, the United Nations Service Medal and the Peace Medal from the people of Korea.
McGee also was a member of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans Braintrust, Sons of the American Revolution as a descendant of Patriot Henry Levi Dorton/Dalton, Disabled American Veterans, Masonic Lodge 64 and the Jefferson County Veterans Association, which he helped form with Ed Waldman and Gene Omaits, both past Jefferson County Veterans of the Year.
The JCVA presented American Legion Post 396 with a display featuring photographs from the Medal of Honor ceremony at Fort Myer, Virginia, McGee’s Medal of Honor citation and photographs of him in Korea and with his wife, Cornell. The display will be exhibited at the post.
Refreshments were provided by the JCVA and Post 396 following the ceremony.