Description
Korean War US Marine Corps Officer KIA/MIA Double Silver Star Purple Heart Medals
Korean War US Marine Corps Officer KIA/MIA Double Silver Star Purple Heart Medals
Korean War US Marine Corps Officer KIA/MIA Double Silver Star & Double Purple Heart Medals, Letters, Photos, Documents Grouping to 2d Lt. John J. Bissell, Jr. Platoon Commander Company H 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment Killed In Action the night of October 6-7, 1952 at Combat Outpost Frisco...On the anniversary of this young man’s death he is remembered for his service along with those who fought and died on an obscure outpost in the midst of overwhelming odds in a foreign land…some were missing never to be found…2d Lt. Bissell remains there today and, hopefully, he will be found and returned home one day soon. Ed
I am posting a portion of this valor grouping here to commemorate the anniversary of the Korean War battle of Combat Outpost Frisco when he was killed and many of his men were killed and wounded when their combat outpost was over run…This grouping is not for sale, it is part of my personal collection.
Link to this grouping on my personal collection web site: http://www.battlefieldmuseum.org/engine/inspect.asp?Item=90&Filter=Korean+War
John Jackson Bissell , Jr. Date of birth: October 5, 1928
Date of death: MIA: October 7, 1952
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
Home of record: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Status: MIA
Date of death: MIA: October 7, 1952
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
Home of record: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Status: MIA
AWARDS AND CITATIONS
Silver Star See more recipients of this award
Awarded for actions during the Korean War
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant John Jackson Bissell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-54261), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company H, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 13 to 15 August 1952. Although wounded while the company was defending a portion of a strategic hill position against a fanatical enemy force, Second Lieutenant Bissell courageously exposed himself to intense enemy sniper, mortar and artillery fire to check his sector, care for the wounded, repair weapons, and, on occasions, to act as a stretcher bearer in evacuating casualties. Repeatedly carrying critical supplies of ammunition, food and water to his men, he continued to move about his unit during the enemy attacks to direct fire and lend words of encouragement. After the hostile attacks had subsided, he led a party of men forward of friendly lines to search enemy dead for intelligence information although subjected to hostile mortar and artillery fire. By his exceptional courage, outstanding leadership and coolness under fire, Second Lieutenant Bissell served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: August 13 – 15, 1952
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Company: Company H
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 7th Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
Silver Star See more recipients of this award
Awarded for actions during the Korean War
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant John Jackson Bissell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-54261), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company H, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 6 – 7 October 1952. When a friendly outpost position far forward of the main line of resistance was subjected to a devastating mortar and artillery barrage, followed by an attack by an overwhelming enemy force which overran and seized the outpost, Second Lieutenant Bissell immediately organized two squads and fearlessly led his men through a murderous hail of enemy artillery and mortar fire to assault the position. With his unit sustaining numerous casualties from the heavy fire, he skillfully assisted in their evacuation and, observing a wounded Marine lying in a completely exposed area, unhesitatingly proceeded to the side of the stricken man. Mortally wounded while moving to the aid of his comrade, Second Lieutenant Bissell, by his outstanding courage, resourceful initiative and selfless efforts in behalf of another, served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: October 6 – 7, 1952
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Company: Company H
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 7th Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
These photos show 2d Lt. Bissell receiving his first Silver Star in the field from his CO Col. Thomas C.Moore and holding his first Purple Heart award on the same day.
Second Lieutenant John J. Bissell, Jr. was a direct descendant of Daniel Bissell, one of three Revolutionary War soldiers to receive the Badge of Military Merit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badge_of_Military_Merit
Letter reassuring his parents following his initial wounding in August with a later a letter of condolence from the Commandant of the Marine Corps Lemuel C. Shepard Jr. and an awards entitlement letter from the head of Decorations and Medals Branch Department of the Navy.
A most poignant and ironic letter from his father dated October 6, 1952…His son’s birthday was October 6th!
2nd Letter Oct 6, 1952
Birthday
Dearest John,
In this morning mail I received your medals by the grace of God, a little paper and some string covering the boxes. It just made it. Luckily nothing was damaged. The citation was wonderful and we could hardly keep back the tears. I wish I was on the field when Col. Moore awarded the silver star. We are so proud of you, John.
I am mailing with this letter two cans, two _______ and the navy sock cap. It is air mail so cannot send more.
My Love,
Dad
P.S. I hear from the radio report this morning you haven’t again had to Exert your duty in the seventh Regiment engagement of Oct. 5-6th.
2nd Letter Oct 6, 1952
Birthday
Dearest John,
In this morning mail I received your medals by the grace of God, a little paper and some string covering the boxes. It just made it. Luckily nothing was damaged. The citation was wonderful and we could hardly keep back the tears. I wish I was on the field when Col. Moore awarded the silver star. We are so proud of you, John.
I am mailing with this letter two cans, two _______ and the navy sock cap. It is air mail so cannot send more.
My Love,
Dad
P.S. I hear from the radio report this morning you haven’t again had to Exert your duty in the seventh Regiment engagement of Oct. 5-6th.
On the anniversary of this young man’s death he is remembered for his service along with those who fought and died on an obscure outpost in the midst of overwhelming odds in a foreign land…some were missing never to be found…2d Lt. Bissell remains there today and, hopefully, he will be found and returned home one day soon. Ed
Memories
Killed in Action
Died October 7, 1952 in Korea
BATTLE ZONE: WESTERN OUTPOSTS
HILL OR OUTPOST: OUTPOST FRISCO
Second Lieutenant Bissell was a member of Company H, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was wounded during his heroic efforts at “Bunker Kill” on August 15, 1952. He was Killed in Action during his heroic action at Combat Outpost “Frisco” in North Korea by enemy small arms fire on October 7, 1952. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
No Available Photos
47 Also There at This Battle:
- Asher, Ollie, PFC, 1952
- Borawski, Walter, TSgt, 1953
- Britton, Ralph, Cpl, 1952
- Brown, Harold, MSgt, 1962
- Caputo, Louis, PFC, 1952
- DeVore, William, PFC, 1954
- Fenner, Donald, Pvt, 1952
- Hunt, Hugh, Capt, 1956
- Kaaihue, Michael, PFC, 1952
- McCullen, Thomas, Sgt, 1952
- Mcguire, Thomas, Sgt, 1954
- Miller, Elwyn, PFC, 1952
- Miller, Thomas, Cpl, 1952
- Payton, Eunis Osben, PFC, 1952
- Penniston, Billy, PFC, 1952
- Porter, Homer, PFC, 1952
- Puleo, John, Cpl, 1952
- Ramirez, Santos, PFC, 1952
- Ronczkowski, Richard Wayne, HM2, 1952
- Saks, Hans Paul, PFC, 1952
- Sandvik, Roy, Cpl, 1952
- Shockley, Raymond, PFC, 1952
- Smith, Darrel, 2ndLt, 1952
- Stephen, James, Sgt, 1952
- Surber, Ralph, SSgt, 1952
- Titley, Raymond, Pvt, 1952
- Vigil, Enrigue, PFC, 1952
- Voight, Edward, PFC, 1952
- Watkins, Benjamin, PFC, 1952
- Weiss, Robert, Cpl, 1953
- Wilkerson, Eddie, PFC, 1952
- Williams, Jerome, Pvt, 1952
- Williams, Paul, Pvt, 1952
- Winter, Peter, PFC, 1952
- Yates, Donald, PFC, 1952
- Young, Clifford, PFC, 1952
- Youngsman, John, PFC, 1952
(Korean War US Marine Corps Officer KIA/MIA Double Silver Star & Double Purple Heart Medals, Letters, Photos, Documents Grouping to 2d Lt. John J. Bissell, Jr.)
