Marines

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Robert Simanek eats lunch with Marine officers and fellow Marine veterans at Lopez Hall at The Basic School on Sept. 13, 2013. Simanek, a medal of honor recipient, was visiting TBS as part of a reunion.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Ellis

Medal of Honor recipient visits Quantico

13 Sep 2013 | Lance Cpl. Samuel Ellis Marine Corps Base Quantico

A bus halted behind the chow hall at The Basic School on Sept. 13, 2013. An elderly man, with a nametag reading, Bob Simanek, on his bright blue shirt, followed more than two dozen people inside for a midday meal.

Simanek, along with other Korean War Marines, their families and friends, arrived at the officers’ training ground to eat lunch with Marine lieutenants during their annual Fox Co., 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division reunion.

“Their stories are applicable to any lieutenant,” said Maj. Jeffrey Pelt, TBS protocol officer. “It provides lieutenants with a historical perspective on where they fit.”

The man in the bright blue shirt was just the man with stories for the Marines. He was not just a Marine, but an American hero.

In August 1952, just north of Seoul, South Korea, radioman Private First Class Simanek and the rest of his squad found themselves in a very bad position.

“The squad leader took the wrong route, because the Chinese were expecting us to come the other way,” said Simanek. “Regardless, the Chinese ambushed us.”

Simanek continued to recall his Korean War experiences.

“I shot two Chinese officers and was on the radio talking to those who could direct fire from the tank because the terrain was too bad [for them to fire without direction].”

The Detroit native shared what happened next.

“Two grenades came in at the same time, I kicked one away and I just knew there wasn’t any time left, so I covered the second with my right hip and lower leg.”

After being seriously injured and left alone, Simanek crawled away from his trench until a squad picked him up and took him where he could get help. The injured Marine spent time receiving treatment on the USS Haven, in Japan, and in Great Lakes, Ill.

Exactly one year after the incident, Aug. 17, 1953, Siminek was notified that he was to receive the Medal of Honor.

“I was totally surprised,” said Simanek.

His citation read: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty…. Simanek exhibited a high degree of courage and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in protecting the lives of his fellow Marines.”

His placement on the disability retired list, March 1, 1953, and discharge didn’t stop him from a successful life though. Since then, Simanek married his wife, Nancy, raised a daughter, graduated from Michigan State University with a business degree and served in several business positions during his career. He retired in 1992 and thoroughly enjoys flower gardening, especially Canna Lilies, and golfing.

Simanek currently lives with his wife in Farmington Hills, Mich.

Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil


Marine Corps Base Quantico