Post office might be named after Korean War hero

WAUPACA – On Oct. 24, Congressman Tony Wied introduced legislation to rename the post office in Waupaca after local Medal of Honor recipient and Manawa native Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich.
“His bravery and heroism are an inspiration to us all and shows what true patriotism looks like. I am proud to introduce this legislation to rename a post office in his honor so that his story and legacy can continue to live on for generations to come,” said Wied.
In the early days of the Korean War, American and South Korean forces were pushed to the southeast end of the Korean Peninsula. This became known as the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter. It was a series of battles that stretched across multiple mountains, hills and ridgelines.
On the night of Aug. 25, 1950, Handrich was holding a position on Sobuk Mountain near the city of Masan. His company was fighting off an estimated 150 enemy soldiers. Under heavy gunfire, he left the defensive perimeter and moved forward to direct mortar and artillery fire.
By morning, another attack wave threatened to overrun American-held ground and Handrich held them off with his rifle. During the battle he noticed some of his soldiers preparing to retreat. He ran back through the gunfire and was severely wounded. He reorganized the men to keep fighting and he refused to be evacuated.

Their position was overrun and Handrich was killed.
When the position was retaken, soldiers found Handrich surrounded by over 70 enemy dead.
For his heroic acts, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Hanrich is buried at Little Wolf Cemetery in Manawa.
Representatives Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), and Gwen Moore (D-WI) are original cosponsors of this legislation.
In a glass display in the Waupaca County Courthouse there is tribute to Handrich and other local veterans. However, the courthouse is under construction and the tribute wall is most likely in temporary storage.