I am posting a portion of this valor grouping here to commemorate the anniversary of the battle when he was and many of his men were killed and wounded when their combat outpost was over run.

The 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.Lt. Bissell’s last letter home (Type written transcript saved by the family) written pon October 5t, 1952 two days before his death…Bissell thanks his parents for sending a stove, Long Johns while requesting additional items since they are lacking so much at the front and can’t get much needed items such as socks, boots…The stove stopped working as well…Sad commentary on life in the field in Korea…Letter to Lt. Bissell’s father from Lt. R.R. Moody, the last officer to see Lt. Bissell alive…He describes Bissell’s last moments fighting “then the Chinese came from the right flank and wiped them out…He led his men up the hill and died fighting beside them…” and the circumstances of his death followed with a painful description of having lost the outpost only to retake it the next day “I lost nearly all my men and was wounded myself but we held the outpost again”…He then tells of leaving Bissell’s body behind when they left the outpost after suffering heavy losses…Today is the anniversary of Bissell’s death..

Second Lieutenant John J. Bissell, Jr. was a direct descendant of Daniel Bissell, one of three Revolutionary War soldiers to receive the Badge of 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.
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
Carlo-Perez, Vicente, PFC, 1952
DeVore, William, PFC, 1954
Fenner, Donald, Pvt, 1952
Hunt, Hugh, Capt, 1956
Kaaihue, Michael, PFC, 1952
Lotrecchiano, Daniel, Cpl, 1952
McCullen, Thomas, Sgt, 1952
Mcguire, Thomas, Sgt, 1954
Miller, Elwyn, PFC, 1952
Miller, Thomas, Cpl, 1952
Payne, Williard Dennis, PFC, 1952
Payton, Eunis Osben, PFC, 1952
Peacock, Billy Eugene, PFC, 1952
Penniston, Billy, PFC, 1952
Perry, Raymond Jackson, PFC, 1952
Porter, Homer, PFC, 1952
Puleo, John, Cpl, 1952
Ramirez, Santos, PFC, 1952
Rodriguez, Joseph Rowland, PFC, 1952
Ronczkowski, Richard Wayne, HM2, 1952
Rosen Jr, Gloyd Elywood, PFC, 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
Torres-Rodriguez, Emeterio, Pvt, 1952
Torres-Rodriquez, Emeterio, Pvt, 1952
Van Natta Jr, Russell, PFC, 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
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
AWARDS AND CITATIONS
medals_silver_star_100x200.jpg
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
medals_silver_star_100x200.jpg
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
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(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. )