Kenneth Muir (British Army officer)
Kenneth Muir | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 March 1912 Chester, Cheshire, England |
| Died | 23 September 1950 (aged 38) Hill 282, near Songju, Korea |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1932–1950 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders |
| Battles / wars | North-West Frontier Second World War Korean War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Mentioned in Despatches Distinguished Service Cross (United States) |
Kenneth Muir VC (6 March 1912 – 23 September 1950) was a British Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Victoria Cross
Muir was 38 years old, and a major in the 1st battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) during the Korean War when the following deed took place during the Battle of Hill 282 for which he was awarded the VC.
On 23 September 1950 near Songju, Korea, there was difficulty in evacuating the wounded after a position had been captured, until Major Muir arrived with a stretcher party. When the enemy started to launch a series of attacks on the positions, the major took over command and after a direct hit from a fire bomb, causing further casualties, he led a counter-attack and the crest of the position was regained. He was determined to hold it until all the wounded had been evacuated and moved about his small force shouting encouragement and firing a 2-in. mortar himself until he was mortally wounded.[1]
Further information
Initially buried in the Taegu Military Cemetery, his remains were exhumed and transferred to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Busan, Korea, on 14 May 1951.[2] His name is also recorded on his father's headstone at St. Peter's Churchyard, Frimley, Surrey, England.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling Castle, Scotland.
References
- ^ "No. 39115". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 5 January 1951. - ^ "Major Muir K". UN Memorial Cemetery, Korea.
External links
- Major Kenneth Muir (50980) (detailed action account)
- History Argylls in Korea
- History of Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
- Kenneth Muir at Find a Grave
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- 1912 births
- 1950 deaths
- Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders officers
- British recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
- British military personnel killed in the Korean War
- People from Chester
- People educated at Malvern College
- British Army personnel of the Korean War
- British Army personnel of World War II
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross