Black River Falls in Jackson County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Cpl. Mitchell RedCloud Jr.
(US Marine Corps & US Army)
Photographed by K. Linzmeier, June 5, 2011
1. Cpl. Mitchell RedCloud Jr. Marker
Mitchell RedCloud, Jr. was born on July 2, 1924 near Hatfield, Jackson County, Wisconsin to Mitchell and Nellie RedCloud.
During World War II, he served in the Marine Corps from 1941 to 1945. At the age of 16 he served with the Carlson Raiders in the Pacific. In 1948 he enlisted in the Army and was serving during the Korean War when he was killed in action on Nov. 5, 1950. He is buried in the Decorah Cemetery near Black River Falls, Wi.
Mitchell RedCloud, Jr. received nine medals for his service in World War II and the Korean War. One of those medals, the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor the United States of America awards to individuals, was awarded to him posthumously for his heroic actions during hostile fire. Even though he was mortally wounded, RedCloud repeatedly returned fire and thereby distracted the enemy. His courageous action saved the lives of many members of his unit.
Erected 2003.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • War, Korean. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1885.
Location. 44° 17.852′ N, 90° 50.867′ W. Marker is in Black River
this page online
Regionally, this marker is 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Field of Honor (a few steps from this marker); Site of the First Wood-Spaulding Saw Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Lunda Construction Co. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hoffman Construction Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Moe Hardware (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pfaffsprairie Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hagen's A&W (approx. Ό mile away); Jackson County Veterans Park (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Black River Falls.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Arnold Jacobson Farm (was approx. Ό mile away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. Other sources show the birth year as 1925.
Regarding Cpl. Mitchell RedCloud Jr.. “With utter fearlessness he maintained his firing position until severely wounded by enemy fire. Refusing assistance, he pulled himself to
Photographed by K. Linzmeier, June 5, 2011
2. Cpl. Mitchell RedCloud Jr. Marker
(The marker is attached to the second stone from the photographer.)
It has been told eight bullets hit him before he fell. He was 26 years old. It was for his heroic action during the Korean War that he received the military's highest award, The Medal of Honor. Red Cloud was the eighth man to receive the award during the Korean War.
In 1983, Red Cloud was the first Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) Indian to be accepted into the American Indian Hall of Fame at Anadarko, Okla. He took his place among other famous Native Americans, Chief Joseph, Will Rogers, Pocahontas, and Jim Thorpe. Sculptor Kenneth Campbell, an art history professor at the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire, carved two busts in his honor. One of the busts is on display at the American Indian Hall of Fame. The other was displayed at ECS on a temporary basis and since has been returned to Red Clouds family in Black River Falls. Campbell served with Red Cloud in the Army.
At least three places are named for Red Cloud—a park in La Crosse (Wisconsin), a rifle range in Fort Benning, Ga. and an Army base near Uijongbu, Korea. In 1951, his picture was on the cover of “Life Magazine.” Esquire featured a painting called “Corporal Red Clouds Last Stand.”
Source: 2007 excerpts from medalofhonor.com
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Mitchell Red Cloud Jr.: Korean War Hero. (Submitted on January 5, 2015.)
Additional keywords. Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2015, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 963 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 5, 2015, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
