Bishop in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Major Kern W. Dunagan

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 22, 2026

1. Major Kern W. Dunagan Marker

Inscription.
Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to Major Kern W. Dunagan, United States Army, For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Major (then Captain) Kern W. Dunagan, Infantry, distinguished himself during the period May 13 and 14, 1969, while serving as Commanding Officer, Company A. 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, American Division, in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam.
On May 13, 1969, Major Dunagan was leading an attack to relieve pressure on the battalion's forward support base when his company came under intense fire from a well-entrenched enemy battalion. Despite continuous hostile fire from a numerically superior force, Major Dunagan repeatedly and fearlessly exposed himself in order to locate enemy positions, direct friendly supporting artillery, and position the men of his company. In the early evening, while directing an element of his unit into perimeter guard, he was seriously wounded

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during an enemy mortar attack, but he refused to leave the battlefield and continued to supervise the evacuation of dead and wounded and to lead his command in the difficult task of disengaging from an aggressive enemy. In spite of painful wounds and extreme fatigue, Major Dunagan risked heavy enemy fire on two occasions to rescue critically wounded men. He was again seriously wounded. Undaunted, he continued to display outstanding courage, professional competence, and leadership and successfully extricated his command from its untenable position on the evening of May 14. Having maneuvered his command into contact with an adjacent friendly unit, he learned that a six-man party from his company was under fire and had not reached the new perimeter. Major Dunagan, unhesitatingly went back and searched from his men. Finding one soldier critically wounded, Major Dunagan, ignoring his own wounds, lifted the man to his shoulders and carried him to the comparative safety of the friendly perimeter. Before permitting himself to be evacuated, his insured all of his wounded received emergency treatment and were removed from the area. Throughout

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 21, 2026

2. Major Kern W. Dunagan Marker

the engagement, Major Dunagan's actions gave inspiration to his men and were directly responsible for saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. Major Dunagan's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the military service.

Presented by: Richard M. Nixon, President, June 15, 1971

Colonel Kern W. (Hudson) Dunagan, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Graduate Bishop Union High School, Class of 1951.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 3, 1863.

Location. 37° 22.054′ N, 118° 23.707′ W. Marker is in Bishop, California, in Inyo County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 395) and Park Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 690 N Main St, Bishop CA 93514, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 22, 2026

3. Major Kern W. Dunagan Marker

this marker is in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Atlas Copco Mucker" (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fortune Seekers (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Slim Princess (approx. 0.2 miles away); Whiskey Creek History (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Kittie Lee Inn (approx. ¼ mile away); The Ernest Kinney Teamster Family Mural (approx. 0.3 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Bishop (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dangerous Arrest (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bishop.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on October 28, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on October 29, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on October 28, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.