Medal of Honor Recipient Ola L. Mize Passes Away at 82

Earned Nation's Highest Award for Valor during Korea

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Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Mar 12, 2014, 04:46 ET

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Colonel Ola L. Mize, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014 in Gadsden, Alabama at age 82.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President, Dwight D. Eisenhower—the highest award given to those who acted with uncommon, selfless courage— on September 7, 1954.

His heroic action occurred near Surang-ni, Korea, on June 10-11, 1953. He served as Assistant Platoon Sergeant, with the 2^nd Platoon, Company K, 15^th Infantry Regiment, 3^rd Infantry Division.

Learning that a comrade on a friendly listening post had been wounded he moved through the intense barrage, accompanied by a medical aid man, and rescued the wounded soldier. After rejoining the platoon, moving from man to man, distributing ammunition, and shouting words of encouragement he observed a friendly machine-gun position overrun. He immediately fought his way to the position, killing 10 of the enemy and dispersing the remainder. Fighting back to the command post, and finding several friendly wounded there, he took a position to protect them. Later, securing a radio, he directed friendly artillery fire upon the attacking enemy's routes of approach. At dawn he helped regroup for a counterattack which successfully drove the enemy from the outpost. Sgt. Mize's valorous conduct and unflinching courage reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service.

Colonel Mize served 31 years in the Army. He is also a recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart and many other military awards.

Funeral services are pending. There are 74 recipients alive today.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation's highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are "recipients" of this prestigious award; they are not "winners." Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor, although, as stated, the Congress did establish the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Contact: Victoria Kueck
843-884-8862
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SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Society