George Sousa- Was the Only Survivor After a Tank Attack at Heartbreak Ridge

George Sousa was working with his father in their family fishing business when he was drafted into the Army in February 1951 – he was 20 years old. He left for Korea in April 1951 and only a week after arriving found himself on the front lines of fighting in the Punchbowl area. Sousa continued fighting in the Battle of Bloody Ridge and then on to the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge. On September 13, 1951, at Heartbreak Ridge, an enemy tank fired at Sousa’s position. The explosion killed everyone in Sousa’s unit, including three of his closest friends. Sousa would be evacuated for shrapnel wounds and battle fatigue. George Sousa would recover from his wounds, return to combat, and continue to fight on the front lines until March of 1952 when he was sent home.