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.