Marker #2033 First Lieutenant Carl H. Dodd

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Carl Henry Dodd was born in Cote, Kentucky, where he worked at the Black Mountain Coal Company until 1943; he enlisted in the Army at the age of 18. Although, he developed a foot injury during his World War II service, he still managed to earn the rank of sergeant by 1945. A year after his discharge, he reenlisted, and served at Fort Knox and in Hawaii. In 1950, he was commissioned to Korea, and within a few months of fighting, he was awarded a Bronze and Silver Star and issued a battlefield commission. These accolades resulted in his advancement to first lieutenant.

At the start of 1951, Dodd was given the task of defeating an enemy protected hill in Subuk, Korea, that had repelled many attacks. In pursuance of this task, he led Company E of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division into battle on January 30th. At the start of the mission, men quickly fell at his side amid the artillery fire, mortar, and heavy small arms. Despite the danger, Dodd charged a machine-gun nest and slaughtered those in it. He then ran ahead of his soldiers and killed the crew of the enemy mortar with his last remaining grenade, an action that inspired the soldiers of Company E. As a result, they fought those positioned on the hill through the next day, and soon after secured victory. In May of that same year, President Harry S. Truman awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor, to Dodd for his bravery.

Dodd remained in the Army until 1965 and retired as a major. He then spent the remainder of his life working for the Department of Agriculture and volunteering at the Shriners Hospital for Children. Dodd resided in Corbin, Kentucky, until he passed at the age of 71 in 1996. He was laid to rest at the Cumberland Memorial Gardens.

Marker #2033 was dedicated in 1999 by the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Department of Highways. It reads: First Lt. Carl H. Dodd (1925-1996). This Medal of Honor recipient was born in Harlan Co. Dodd served with Co. E, 5th Regimental Combat Team, U.S. Army. He was awarded the medal for heroic action in the Korean War for capture of Hill 256, a key terrain, with utter disregard for his safety, January 1951, near Subuk, Korea.
(Reverse) Medal of Honor Winner. President Harry S. Truman presented Carl H. Dodd with this award in May 1951. He achieved the rank of major before retiring from the U.S. Army on June 30, 1965. He lived in Laurel County the last 33 years of his life. Died on October 13, 1996. Presented by VFW Post 3167, Williamsburg; VFW Post 3302, London; VFW District 11; DAV Chapter 158, Keavy; John C. Karr; and Walter Setzer.