While the last stand of Fury can be based on Lt. Audie Murphy's one-man fight against the Germans in World War II, a similar last stand happened to a Pershing tank crew in Korea. In early September 1950, Sergeant Ernest R. Kouma led a patrol of two Pershing tanks and two M19 Gun Motor Carraiges along the Natkong River. That night they caught North Koreans attempting to build a pontoon bridge to cross the river. The American vehicles quickly destroyed the bridge, but the patrol received orders to pull back as the rest of their supporting infantry was doing. Kouma said he and his patrol would remain behind to cover the retreat.The North Koreans kept attacking with infantry in human waves. One by one the other vehicles either pulled back or were knocked out. Then the North Koreans, dressed in captured US uniforms, tried to infiltrate the lines and were killed. Down to just Kouma and his Pershing, the crew made a desperate last stand using every weapon they carried, including hand grenades and pistols. The North Koreans were so close that Kouma could hear them cursing at him. It was only when Kouma and his crew expended every round of ammunition they carried did they retreat.Despite being wounded twice, once in the foot and the other in the shoulder, Kouma had his tank replenished. Instead of going back to the front he was ordered to rear to be treated for his wounds. Three days later he was back in the fighting. His stand earned him the Medal of Honor.

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