Navy Federal Credit Union

Hungarian-Born Tibor Rubin suffered interment under the Nazi’s in WWII, during which time he was the only member of his family to survive. Emigrating to the United States after the war and joining the Army, his WWII captivity and suffering enabled him to survive captivity to the North Koreans as well, and enabled him to further assist and encourage survival of his comrades. His Medal of Honor was belated presented by President George W. Bush in 2005.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Korea)

    Action Date:

    November 2, 1950 – April 21, 1953

    Corporal Tibor Rubin (ASN: 19363581), United States Army, was captured in Korea on 2 November 1950 and was held by the Chinese as a Prisoner of War until his release on 21 April 1953.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    8th Cavalry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    July 23, 1950 – April 20, 1953

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Tibor Rubin (ASN: 19363581), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism during the period from 23 July 1950 to 20 April 1953, while serving as a rifleman with Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the Republic of Korea. While his unit was retreating to the Pusan Perimeter, Corporal Rubin was assigned to stay behind to keep open the vital Taegu-Pusan Road link used by his withdrawing unit. During the ensuing battle, overwhelming numbers of North Korean troops assaulted a hill defended solely by Corporal Rubin. He inflicted a staggering number of casualties on the attacking force during his personal 24-hour battle, single-handedly slowing the enemy advance and allowing the 8th Cavalry Regiment to complete its withdrawal successfully. Following the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, the 8th Cavalry Regiment proceeded northward and advanced into North Korea. During the advance, he helped capture several hundred North Korean soldiers. On 30 October 1950, Chinese forces attacked his unit at Unsan, North Korea, during a massive nighttime assault. That night and throughout the next day, he manned a .30 caliber machine gun at the south end of the unit’s line after three previous gunners became casualties. He continued to man his machine gun until his ammunition was exhausted. His determined stand slowed the pace of the enemy advance in his sector, permitting the remnants of his unit to retreat southward. As the battle raged, Corporal Rubin was severely wounded and captured by the Chinese. Choosing to remain in the prison camp despite offers from the Chinese to return him to his native Hungary, Corporal Rubin disregarded his own personal safety and immediately began sneaking out of the camp at night in search of food for his comrades. Breaking into enemy food storehouses and gardens, he risked certain torture or death if caught. Corporal Rubin provided not only food to the starving Soldiers, but also desperately needed medical care and moral support for the sick and wounded of the POW camp. His brave, selfless efforts were directly attributed to saving the lives of as many as forty of his fellow prisoners. Corporal Rubin’s gallant actions in close contact with the enemy and unyielding courage and bravery while a prisoner of war are in the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.