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Jan. 16, 1951: Cpl. James Patts of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Cpl. Charles W. Patterson of Pitte, Pa., both members of Fox Company, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, take up positions for action on the western front of Korea. (U.S. Army photo)

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Pvt. Billie Gene Kanell

Sister Recalls Too-Short Life Of A Brother Who Did 'Whatever He Could To Save His Friends'

By Bethanne Kelly Patrick
Military.com Columnist

Army Pvt. Billie Gene Kanell's life was "short all around," as his sister Betty Pruitt puts it. He left their hometown of Poplar Bluff, Mo., as a teenager, celebrated his 20th birthday at an army post in Hawaii, and 11 days later charged up a hill in Korea under severe fire. On that 11th day, too, Kanell's actions would merit the Medal of Honor -- and he would be mortally wounded.

In order to understand Kanell's heroism on Sept. 7, 1951, one need look no further than his upbringing. As the second son in a family of nine children, "Billie was basically an 'old mother hen,' " says Pruitt. "He was always checking our bicycle wheels and bandaging our knees. I think he had a natural instinct to protect people -- and that's why he did what he did."

The 25th Infantry Division arrived in Korea and immediately saw action. Kanell was in Company I of the 35th Regiment, a rifleman among many others. He hadn't thought twice about leaving his job as a tree surgeon to enlist; his father had served 20 years in the Army, his older brother had enlisted in the Army, and another brother in the Air Force (later, two younger brothers served in the Army during Vietnam). Service came as naturally as breathing, and so did handling weapons; all of the Kanell children learned to shoot early and well.

Kanell's early marksmanship must have helped on that September day as he "stood in his emplacement ... and delivered accurate fire into the ranks of the assailants." Just then, one of the enemy threw a grenade into the bunker, and Kanell threw himself on top of it to protect two comrades.

A few seconds after Kanell absorbed the first grenade's blast, another grenade landed in the American emplacement. He was gravely wounded, but "summoned his waning strength to roll toward the second grenade and used his body as a shield to again protect his comrades."

Earlier this year, Pruitt and her family were contacted by one of the men her brother saved 49 years ago -- Stephen Mullan, who on Veterans Day rode in New York's "Nation's Parade" in honor of Billie Kanell. "We had so many questions for [Mullen] about Billie's last moments," Pruitt said. "Billie was always very caring. He had a real big heart. We knew he'd want to do whatever he could to save his friends."

Perhaps in his last moments Kanell thought of his large family, whose stack of letters written every day reminded him of his place in the world.