MUIR K VC
- Nation UK
- Unit THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS
- Service No. P/50980
- Rank MAJOR
- Date of Death 23-Sep-50
- Location 34-8-6
- Grave No. 774
Burial Story
On the morning of the 23rd September 1950, two companies of the Argylls succeeded in taking Hill 282, but immediately faced a counterattack from the North Koreans. Under mortar and artillery fire, the beleaguered companies requested an air strike on the North Koreans but three American F-51 Mustang aircraft attacked the wrong hill, dropping napalm canisters onto the Argylls’ positions inflicting heavy casualties. Realising the seriousness of the situation, Major Muir reassembled a party of survivors to return to the top of Hill 282 before the North Korean forces could acquire a foothold. In the ensuing fight Muir was mortally wounded by gunfire and the remaining small group of defenders, running low on ammunition, was forced to abandon the hill. For his actions in organising the defence of Hill 282, Muir was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Major Muir was the son of Col Garnet Wolseley and Mary Williamina (nee Cuninghame) Muir. He joined the army in 1932 and served in India and during the Second World War in Sudan, north Africa, Italy, France, and Germany.