US Army Sgt Celestino Chavez: Silver Star Recipient during The Battle of Chosin Reservoir

Celestino Chavez Jr. was born on February 27, 1931, in Gallup, New Mexico. The grandson of a Civil War veteran, Chavez enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 10, 1949. Upon completing training, he was assigned to Battery D, 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 7th Infantry Division in Yokohama, Japan, before deploying to Korea.

On November 30, 1950, now a corporal, Chavez was serving with his unit near the Chosin Reservoir. In the early morning hours, he was manning an M-19 twin 40-mm gun when his position came under a fierce assault by Chinese Communist forces. In the opening moments of the attack, he was seriously wounded.

When fellow soldiers attempted to evacuate him to an aid station, Corporal Chavez refused, knowing there was no one available to take his place.

As the assault intensified, he continued delivering accurate and devastating fire into the attacking enemy and was largely credited with breaking up the assault.

After the enemy retreated, Chavez collapsed from blood loss.

Two days later, while withdrawing in a convoy to Hagaru-ri, the unit was ambushed. Chavez was believed to have been killed during the attack. His remains were never recovered, and he was later listed as killed in action.

For his selfless valor on November 30, 1950, Celestino Chavez Jr. was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and later promoted to sergeant.

In 2018, North Korea returned the remains of multiple American servicemembers. In April 2026, Celestino Chavez’s remains were positively identified among them.

You can watch a short video about his story here: https://youtube.com/shorts/sL-tabXVdqE

Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Celestino Chavez (ASN: RA-18255711), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Battery D, 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self Propelled), 7th Infantry Division, in action near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, on 30 November 1950. On this date, Corporal Chavez’s M-19 twin 40-mm. gun carriage was defending a portion of the perimeter when the enemy began a “banzai” charge against the position shortly before 0300 hours. Corporal Chavez was struck and seriously wounded during this attack, but he refused to be evacuated to the aid station because there was no other man available to replace him. He stayed at his post voluntarily and despite his wound kept the weapon firing. When the enemy attack had been broken up by accurate and intense fire of the M-19, Corporal Chavez, weakened by loss of blood, collapsed unconscious and fell from the M-19 to the ground. He was given medical attention and evacuated to the Aid Station. As a result of his heroic actions the M-19 was kept in action, the “banzai” charge was broken up, and the perimeter was kept intact at that point. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Chavez on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.