Manawa in Waupaca County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Melvin O. Handrich
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Photographed by Keith L, August 15, 2008
1. Melvin O. Handrich Marker
Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich of the U.S. Army was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his courageous action in battle near Sobuk San Mountain, Korea on August 2526, 1950.
Handrich was born in Manawa, Wisconsin on January 26, 1919 and received the country's highest military award for his conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in battle.
Near midnight on August 25, 1950 the enemy attempted to infiltrate Handrich's company's perimeter. Despite heavy enemy fire, he left the safety of his position and moved forward to direct artillery fire against the enemy. At the peak of the action, he observed his company preparing to withdraw. He made his way across the fire-swept terrain to reorganize the men to continue the fight. Despite being severely wounded, Handrich refused to be evacuated and continued to direct artillery fire. His position was eventually overrun and he was mortally wounded.
Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich's bravery, courage and self-sacrifice reflect glory upon himself and the heroic tradition of the military service.
Erected 2003 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 485.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Korean
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Location. 44° 28.03′ N, 88° 55.142′ W. Marker is in Manawa, Wisconsin, in Waupaca County. It can be reached from State Highway 22/110 south of County Highway B. The marker stands in Manawa Area Veterans Freedom Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 140 N Bridge St, Manawa WI 54949, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.4 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 10 miles away); Iola Old Car Show (approx. 10.1 miles away); Stone Puller (approx. 10.2 miles away); New London Fairground (approx. 10.2 miles away); Wāpahkoh (approx. 10.3 miles away); Slaughter House Ski Hill (approx. 10.4 miles away); Birthplace of the American Water Spaniel (approx. 10½ miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Chief Waupaca (was approx. 10.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Keith L, August 15, 2008
2. Melvin O. Handrich Marker
Photographed by Keith L, August 15, 2008
3. Nearby Bronc Buster Statue
Photographed by Keith L, August 15, 2008
4. Bronc Buster Plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,880 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on March 19, 2026, by Mallory Hanson of Madison, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 26, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
