Charles B Garrigus

Sgt. Charles B Garrigus Jr., 24, of Indianapolis, passed away Friday, December 1st, 1950 serving his country during the Korean War. He was born January 24th, 1926 in Francisco, Indiana to his parents Charles and Gladys (Tetric) Garrigus. He was a resident of Terre Haute for most of his life.

Sgt. Garrigus Jr. is survived by one sister, Delores Beeson of Indianapolis; two brothers: Don Garrigus of Indianapolis and Bill Garrigus of Indianapolis; and several nieces and nephews. Sgt. Garrigus Jr. is preceded in death by both of his parents; two brothers: James "Leroy" Garrigus and Clyde Garrigus; and one sister, Bernadine Reynolds.

Sgt. Garrigus Jr. entered the U.S Army from Indiana and served in Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On December 1st, 1950, the enemy twice tried to break through a friendly roadblock to position a captured machine-gun that would be used against a convoy of wounded personnel. Sgt. Garrigus Jr. gathered a group of soldiers and, in a daring charge, regained the machine-gun, one automatic rifle, and several other machine-guns with ammunition. They immediately turned the weapons on the enemy soldiers, killing approximately sixty and wounding many others. Then, at a bypass where a bridge had been blown out, Sgt. Garrigus Jr., under intense enemy fire, drove several trucks across, and out of, a deep mud-hole in the stream bed. Later, while Sgt. Garrigus Jr. was driving the lead truck in a final attempt to break through an enemy roadblock, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. His courageous actions and leadership earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 1, 1950, during battle with enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered, and there is no evidence that he was ever a prisoner of war.

Sgt. Garrigus Jr. is referred to as "the valorous sergeant", earning the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge. He was also awarded the Korean Distinguished Service Medal (12th Class) by the Republic of Korea.

Family and friends may show their love and support from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday, March 9th and from 11 am to 12 pm (Noon) on Friday, March 10th at Jones Crossing Banquet Center, 4161 E. Allison Road, Mooresville, Indiana 46158. A celebration of life service will be held at 12 pm (Noon) following visitation on Friday, March 10th at the banquet center. Sgt. Garrigus Jr. will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood.

To send a condolence to the family or to share a story about Sgt. Charles Garrigus Jr. please visit: www.jonesfamilymortuary.com