Shortly after his capture, Chaplain Kapaun, with complete disregard for his personal safety and unwavering resolve, bravely pushed aside an enemy soldier preparing to execute Sergeant First Class Herbert A. Miller.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Awards Chaplain Emil Kapaun the Medal of Honor | The White House

Realizing the success of mission and the safety of the remaining troops were in peril, Private First Class Svehla leapt to his feet and charged the enemy positions, firing his weapon and throwing grenades as he advanced.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Awards Medal of Honor to Korean War Heroes

Private First Class Svehla, utterly disregarding his own safety, destroyed enemy positions and inflicted heavy casualties, when suddenly, fragments from a mortar round exploding nearby seriously wounded him in the face.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Awards Medal of Honor to Korean War Heroes

That afternoon, while Private First Class Svehla and his platoon were patrolling a strategic hill to determine enemy strength and positions, they were subjected to intense enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire at the top of the hill.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Awards Medal of Honor to Korean War Heroes

When an enemy grenade landed among a group of his comrades, Private First Class Svehla, without hesitation and undoubtedly aware of extreme danger, threw himself upon the grenade.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Awards Medal of Honor to Korean War Heroes