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Set in stone

SMITHFIELD -- A grave marker recognizing Fred B. McGee as a Medal of Honor recipient was unveiled Sunday during a ceremony held by the Jefferson County Veterans Association.

The marker, which identical to the white gravestones seen in Arlington National Cemetery, was provided by the Veterans Administration.

Frank Santa, commander of the local veterans association, served as master of ceremonies for the event, which was held in Northern Cemetery. He discussed the many-year journey of research, communicating and meeting with federal and Army personnel of three determined people -- Victoria Secrest, Fred’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,” and was joined by many in attendance. Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. spoke about the action by McGee 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 mission McGee demonstrated at the risk of his own life. Bardone explained the long and sometimes difficult road to upgrading McGee’s Silver Star award to the Medal of Honor. He also described the White House ceremony he attended honoring McGee. McGee’s grandson, Riley McGee, read the MOH citation.

McGee’s family was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Joe Biden on Jan. 3, 2025.

Born May 30, 1930, in Steubenville, McGee, an African American, was a member of King Company in the 17th Infantry Regiment, which bears the motto Truth and Courage.

The events of June 16, 1952, took place at a location known as 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 large volume of supporting fire while exposed, in spite of heavy and direct machine gun and mortar fire from the enemy. McGee’s support for his platoon continued even after he had been forced to move his gun on several occasions.

After his squad leader and several others were wounded, McGee assumed command and moved his squad forward to provide neutralizing fire on an enemy machine gun. He’d once again take over his squad’s machine gun when his machine gunner was mortally wounded.

McGee directed his squad to withdraw, but he stayed behind to assist with evacuating casualties. That required McGee -- who was wounded in the face -- to stand straight up amid furious enemy fire. He was forced to abandon the body of his company runner but helped move a wounded soldier to safety, surrounded by continuous fire.

A Medal of Honor recipient biography from the Army says 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 present for the Medal of Honor ceremony was Kristen Lee Bailey, McGee’s granddaughter. She’d been considering stories to share about her Pap that would give an impression of his character but decided to share “what he would want people to know and remember about him.”

“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 on Jan. 3, 2020.

A decorated combat veteran, McGee was named the Jefferson County Veterans Service Commission Veteran of the Year 2019-2020, but was only able to live out three months of his term.

In 2002, McGee was inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor. The recipient of two Purple Hearts for the wounds he received on Hill 528, he also was inducted into the Military Order of the Purple Heart Hall of Fame in Newburgh, N.Y.

He was a Life Member of the American Legion (past Post 396 commander); designated a Distinguished Member of the 17th Infantry Regiment; recipient of the Combat Infantrymen’s Badge with Oak Leaf; Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star; the United Nations Service Medal; the Peace Medal from the people of Korea.

McGee was a member of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans Braintrust, Sons of the American Revolution (a descendant of Patriot Henry Levi Dorton/Dalton), Disabled Veterans of America, Masonic Lodge 64 and the Jefferson County Veterans Association, which he formed with Ed Waldman and Gene Omaits (both past Jefferson County Veterans of the Year.)

The JCVA presented Post 396 with a photo board depicting a MOH ceremony at Fort Myer, Va.; his MOH citation; and a photo of him in Korea and with his wife, Cornell, which will be displayed in their post.

Refreshments were provided by the JCVA and Post 396 after the program.