BRINNON – Korean War veteran Paul Price says he owes his life to John Agostini.
“He never did say how many [he saved],” said the Louisville, Ky., resident, his voice choking to the point of silence as he recalled the horrific events of Nov. 29, 1950, during a phone interview.
“But the word was, he took several people back and forth. And of course, that was under heavy fire.”
Price arranged to honor former Army Pvt. Agostini, who died earlier this year, for heroically driving the jeep that transported up to 15 wounded soldiers, including Price himself, out of the line of gun and mortar fire.
At Price’s request, Former Marine Cpl. Mark Parkin of Burien – a member of the “Chosin Few,” an organization of Chosin Reservoir Korean War battle survivors – and his wife traveled to Brinnon Community Center on Tuesday to conducted a brief honor ceremony.
Parkin presented Agostini’s widow, Maxine, and his two daughters with a Marine Corps flag from the survivors of the 1950-’53 G Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.
Agostini received the Bronze “V” Star for his valiant efforts in retrieving and evacuating the wounded to safety and medical aid.
He also received the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained.
“My dad should have got the Medal of Honor, but my dad had trouble with saying what he said,” said his daughter Gina Agostini-Deming of Tacoma.
Agostini was one of 30,000 United Nations troops under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
An Army soldier who saved many Marines, he was made an honorary Marine about 40 years later.
