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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Pfc. Robert E. Simanek, USMC
 PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
ROBERT E. SIMANEK USMC
(RETIRED)
Korean War 1950-1953
Medal of Honor Recipient
Private First Class Robert Ernest Simanek, who threw himself on an enemy grenade to save his comrades, is the 36th Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Korea. The Nation's highest decoration was presented to him by President Eisenhower in a White House ceremony on 27 October 1953.
PFC Simanek, who was so badly wounded by the grenade that he has since been retired, was serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, when the action occurred on 18 August 1952. His patrol had gone well forward of friendly lines to occupy an outpost when the Marines ran into a trap.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, PFC Simanek was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for the wounds he suffered in his heroic act.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Simanek of Detroit, Michigan, PFC Simanek was born in Detroit on 26 April 1930. He graduated from high school there in 1948 and worked for the Ford Motor Company and General Motors before he was inducted into the Marine Corps on 13 August 1951.
Completing boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in October 1951, he 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 of the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines on 6 May 1952. He had earned two battle stars by the time he was wounded.
After he was wounded he was treated aboard the hospital ship Haven, and later in Japan, before he was returned to the United States in September 1952. He then was hospitalized at Mare Island, California, and at Great Lakes, Illinois, until he was placed on the temporary disability retired list, 1 March 1953.
In addition to the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart, he holds the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars; the United Nations Service Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea, 17 August 1952. Entered service at: Detroit, Mich. Born: 26 April 1930, Detroit, Mich. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company F, in action against enemy aggressor forces. While accompanying a patrol en route to occupy a combat outpost forward of friendly lines, Pfc. Simanek exhibited a high degree of courage and a 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 a nearby 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 body and shielding his fellow marines from serious injury or death. Gravely wounded as a result of his heroic action, Pfc. 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 U.S. Naval Service.
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