KOREAN WAR
Widow of Machine Gunner
March 23, 2022 Washington D.C.___
U.S. Congressman
Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia) presented High Desert resident
Carolyn Hodgson with her husband’s Purple Heart medal in a ceremony at the Congressman’s
District #33, Hesperia office, Monday afternoon.
The medal, awarded to U.S. Army
Private First-Class Robert Hodgson for wounds sustained during the Korean War,
was issued by the U.S. Army at Congressman Obernolte’s request to replace the
original stolen medal from Hodgson decades ago.
“It was a distinct honor to award Carolyn with her husband’s
Purple Heart medal,” said the
Congressman. “Robert Hodgson was an American hero who fought valiantly
for this country. It is my hope that this medal will serve as a comfort to
Carolyn and to the Hodgson family as they remember Robert and his service.”
PFC Hodgson was awarded the Purple Heart on August 29, 1951,
after receiving gunshot wounds while helping move his unit to safety while
under enemy fire during the Korean War. Hodgson served as a machine gunner and
fought in the battles of Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge.
In addition to the replaced Purple Heart medal, Hodgson earned a
second Purple Heart and the Silver Star Medal (the U.S. Armed Forces
third-highest military decoration for valor in combat) for his service.
Eighty-seven years old Robert Hodgson and his wife Carolyn lived
in Victorville, California from 1983 until his passing on April 13, 2021.
