Peter Howland Monfore was born in Yankton, South Dakota, to Howland Swift and Gertrude Margaret (Kositzky). Peter had three brothers, Robert, James, and Thomas, and one sister, Diana. Peter won academic honors and excelled in football and boxing while attending Washington High Schooling Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Upon graduating, he entered the U.S. Navy Officers training, and continued boxing at intercollegiate level. In 1946, peter received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, new York, where he became captain of the boxing team, eventually achieving the title of Eastern Intercollegiate light Heavyweight Champion in 1949 and 1950.
Peter Howland Momfore graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1950, and in August that same year, he was sent to Korea, and assigned platoon leader of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, which had been engaged in heavy fighting while breaking out of the Pusan perimeter. He was seriously wounded in this action, and was evacuated to Japan. After treatment and recovery, 1st Lt. Momfore returned to combat duty on October 7, 1950, and fought with his division all the way through North Korea to the Yalu River. When Chinese forces swarmed across the river, his heavy weapons company provided rear security for the 23rd Infantry Regiment, inflicting heavy casualties upon the attacking Chinese.
In August 1951, 1st LT. Momfore turned down an opportunity to be Aise-De-camp to General Ridge way. Instead, he chose to command an infantry company. He was made commander of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. 1st LT. Monfore fought in more intense combat and received the French Croix de Guerre award for receiving the encircled French Battalion. On September 19, 1951, his company was ordered to lead a night assault on Hill 851 during the battle oh Heartbreak Ridge in North Korea. His company was successful in capturing Hill 851. Immediately, 1st LT. Monfore set about retrieving weapons and ammunition from dead soldiers, showing his men how to use them as they established defensive positions.
1st LT. Peter Howland Monfore was killed in action while defending his position on Hill 851 on September 19, 1951. In a letter dated October 21, 1951, Colonel J. Adams, Commanding Officer of the 23rd Infantry wrote these words to Peter's father;
Mr. Monfore , as a soldier, there is little in war to recommend itself to me. The only recompense is the sense of duty performed for our country, and the respect engendered for our fighting brothers. Your son, sir , exemplified every fine attribute to a great soldier and a real man.
Peter Howland Momfore graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1950, and in August that same year, he was sent to Korea, and assigned platoon leader of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, which had been engaged in heavy fighting while breaking out of the Pusan perimeter. He was seriously wounded in this action, and was evacuated to Japan. After treatment and recovery, 1st Lt. Momfore returned to combat duty on October 7, 1950, and fought with his division all the way through North Korea to the Yalu River. When Chinese forces swarmed across the river, his heavy weapons company provided rear security for the 23rd Infantry Regiment, inflicting heavy casualties upon the attacking Chinese.
In August 1951, 1st LT. Momfore turned down an opportunity to be Aise-De-camp to General Ridge way. Instead, he chose to command an infantry company. He was made commander of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. 1st LT. Monfore fought in more intense combat and received the French Croix de Guerre award for receiving the encircled French Battalion. On September 19, 1951, his company was ordered to lead a night assault on Hill 851 during the battle oh Heartbreak Ridge in North Korea. His company was successful in capturing Hill 851. Immediately, 1st LT. Monfore set about retrieving weapons and ammunition from dead soldiers, showing his men how to use them as they established defensive positions.
1st LT. Peter Howland Monfore was killed in action while defending his position on Hill 851 on September 19, 1951. In a letter dated October 21, 1951, Colonel J. Adams, Commanding Officer of the 23rd Infantry wrote these words to Peter's father;
Mr. Monfore , as a soldier, there is little in war to recommend itself to me. The only recompense is the sense of duty performed for our country, and the respect engendered for our fighting brothers. Your son, sir , exemplified every fine attribute to a great soldier and a real man.
Peter Howland Monfore
Peter achieved the Rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1951,
and also received the Distinguished Service Cross,
and the Purple Heart for his gallant service.
The U.S. Army proudly named Camp Monfore after Peter.
More: Information posted below.
Camp Monfore
Dedicated in Honor of 1st Lieutenant Peter H. Monfore
Korea, September 18, 1951
Dedicated in Honor of 1st Lieutenant Peter H. Monfore
Korea, September 18, 1951
Monfore Bridge
Dedicated in Honor of 1st Lieutenant Peter H. Monfore
Korea 1951
Medals Awarded:
Battle of Heart Break Ridge "Hill 851" 1951.
Distinguished Service Cross [Army]
Purple Heart
Peter was awarded a French medal and citation by General Monclair, Commander
of the French U.N. Forces, for courage, in spite of fierce enemy cross fire, in rescuing
a French battalion which had been surrounded by the enemy.
Battle of Heart Break Ridge "Hill 851" 1951.
Distinguished Service Cross [Army]
Purple Heart
Peter was awarded a French medal and citation by General Monclair, Commander
of the French U.N. Forces, for courage, in spite of fierce enemy cross fire, in rescuing
a French battalion which had been surrounded by the enemy.
For his leadership, 1st LT. Monfore was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United States nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Medal. 1st LT. Peter Monfore is buried in Springfield, South Dakota. 1st LT. Monfore was truly a great U. S. Army leader.
Tyler John Reiman, 7th grade, Stanley County Middle School, Fort Pierre, South Dakota, May 5, 2004, respectfully submitted this entry. Information for this entry was provided by the October 11, 1951 Springfield Tomes, and retired Colonel Robert P. Monfore, brother to 1st LT. Monfore, who served three tours of duty in Korea. Additional information and a second photo provided by Diana Monfore Neil, sister, Yankton. Approval of profile by Robert Monfore and Diana Neil.
Diana Neil also contacted me, and I was given information about Peter Monfore's military service. It was an honor and a privilege to able post information about Peter Monfore's military service.
Tyler John Reiman, 7th grade, Stanley County Middle School, Fort Pierre, South Dakota, May 5, 2004, respectfully submitted this entry. Information for this entry was provided by the October 11, 1951 Springfield Tomes, and retired Colonel Robert P. Monfore, brother to 1st LT. Monfore, who served three tours of duty in Korea. Additional information and a second photo provided by Diana Monfore Neil, sister, Yankton. Approval of profile by Robert Monfore and Diana Neil.
Diana Neil also contacted me, and I was given information about Peter Monfore's military service. It was an honor and a privilege to able post information about Peter Monfore's military service.