![](/images/cat_icons/veteran_grave.gif) William F. Dean - San Francisco National Cemetery
Posted by: DougK
N 37° 47.983 W 122° 27.784
10S E 547269 N 4183729
William F. Dean was the highest ranking UN prisoner of war of the Korean War. He was also the highest ranking Medal of Honor recipient. His story of capture and imprisonment by the North Koreans was recorded by numerous publications.
Waymark Code: WMJY8Z
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 01/15/2014
Views: 5
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William F. Dean
is one of thirty-seven Medal of Honor recipients buried at the San Francisco National Cemetery.
From Wikipedia:
Dean was also the highest ranking American officer captured by the North Koreans during the Korean War.
Born in Illinois, Dean attended the University of California at Berkeley before graduating with a commission in the US Army through the Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) in 1921. Slowly rising up the ranks in the inter-war years, Dean worked a desk job in Washington D.C. for much of World War II before being transferred to the 44th Infantry Division which he later commanded during the final days of the war, and was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross.
Dean is known for commanding the 24th Infantry Division at the outbreak of the Korean War. Dean led the division for several weeks in unsuccessful delaying battles against the North Koreans, before he led his division in making a last stand at Taejon. During the confused retreat from that city, Dean was separated from his soldiers and badly injured, and was eventually captured by the North Koreans. He remained in North Korean custody near P'yongyang for the remainder of the war. After the end of the conflict, Dean returned to the United States to a hero's welcome. He retired from the Army soon after and lived a quiet life until his death.
He died August 24, 1981 and is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery San Francisco, California. His grave can be found in section GHT, grave 353-B.
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Headstone Front
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Headstone Back
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This headstone is located in Section GHT, Grave 353-B.
Cemetery Map (PDF)
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The back of the headstone indicates that Dean's wife, Mildred, is buried with him.
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Dean's citation states:
Medal of Honor citation:
In 1951, Congress voted to award Dean the Medal of Honor for his actions during the defense of Taejon. The Medal was presented by US President Harry S. Truman on February 16, 1951 to Dean's wife, son William Dean Jr. and daughter Marjorie June Dean. Dean himself was still reported missing in action in Korea and thought to be dead.
Rank and organization: Major General, U.S. Army, commanding general, 24th Infantry Division
Citation:
Maj. Gen. Dean distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. In command of a unit suddenly relieved from occupation duties in Japan and as yet untried in combat, faced with a ruthless and determined enemy, highly trained and overwhelmingly superior in numbers, he felt it his duty to take action which to a man of his military experience and knowledge was clearly apt to result in his death. He personally and alone attacked an enemy tank while armed only with a hand grenade. He also directed the fire of his tanks from an exposed position with neither cover nor concealment while under observed artillery and small-arms fire. When the town of Taejon was finally overrun he refused to insure his own safety by leaving with the leading elements but remained behind organizing his retreating forces, directing stragglers, and was last seen assisting the wounded to a place of safety. These actions indicate that Maj. Gen. Dean felt it necessary to sustain the courage and resolution of his troops by examples of excessive gallantry committed always at the threatened portions of his frontlines. The magnificent response of his unit to this willing and cheerful sacrifice, made with full knowledge of its certain cost, is history. The success of this phase of the campaign is in large measure due to Maj. Gen. Dean's heroic leadership, courageous and loyal devotion to his men, and his complete disregard for personal safety
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Armed Service: Army
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