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AMEDD Distinguished Service Cross Recipients > AMEDD Distinguished Service Cross Recipients Of the Korean War

Interesting Notes:
Includes MIAs LTC Atchley, SGT Corner, CPL Jackson, and SGT Ketchum

Lieutenant Colonel Oren C. Atchley was a Medical Service Corps officer.

Captain Clarence L. Anderson was a Medical Corps officer.

* Denotes Posthumous Award



ANDERSON, CLARENCE L.
Captain, Medical Corps, U.S. Army
8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Date of Action: November 1 - 2, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Captain Clarence L. Anderson, Medical Corps, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the Medical Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, First Cavalry Division., on November 1 and 2, 1950, near Unsan, Korea. On the afternoon of November 1, 1950, and continuing through the following thirty-six hours, the regiment was subjected to a relentless, fanatical attack by the enemy. At approximately 0100 hours, the enemy penetrated the lines and the Third Battalion was ordered to cover the withdrawal of the remaining regimental units. When the enemy mounted a strong attack against the battalion, Captain Anderson, with complete disregard for his personal safety, repeatedly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire in order to administer medical attention to the wounded. At approximately 0200 hours, the battalion was ordered to begin its withdrawal. Fully realizing the hazards involved, Captain Anderson voluntarily remained behind as the battalion withdrew in order to give medical assistance to wounded personnel. Captain Anderson’s gallant decision to remain with his wounded comrades reflects utmost credit on himself and the medical profession.
General Orders: HQ Eighth US Army Korea, General Orders No. 256 (May 1, 1951)
Hometown: Anderson, Tennessee

*ATCHLEY, OREN C. (MIA)
Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Service Corps, U.S. Army
7th Medical Battalion, 7th Infantry Division
Date of Action: November 24, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Oren C. Atchley, Medical Service Corps, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as commanding officer of the 7th Medical Battalion, Seventh Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Pungsan, Korea, on November 24, 1950. While at a forward command post, he organized a search party to attempt to locate an ambulance with wounded men that was missing in enemy territory. The search party was attacked while he was on reconnaissance, and he was separated from the other men. On his return, without hesitation and fully aware of the odds against him, he fired on the enemy, distracting them, giving his men time to escape. When last seen he was fearlessly maintaining his stand and urging the others to withdraw.
Hometown: Hunt, Texas

BAILEY, DON V.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Ambulance Company, 24th Medical Battalion, 24th Infantry Division
Date of Action: July 16, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Private First Class Don V. Bailey, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the Ambulance Company, 24th Medical Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, on July 16, 1950, at Yongi, Korea. Private First Class Bailey, an ambulance driver, was wounded while part of a group that was encircled and under extremely heavy enemy fire. Disregarding his wound, he continued to try and evacuate the wounded. His ambulance was destroyed by enemy fire and he then transferred the wounded to an armored vehicle. During this action he was wounded again, and the armored vehicle rendered inoperative. He then secured a jeep and loaded it with wounded and during this action he was wounded six times, rendering him helpless. 0nly then, would he allow himself to be evacuated.
General Orders: HQ Eighth US Army Korea, General Orders No. 27 (August 17, 1950)
Hometown: Pike, Kentucky

BARKER, WILLIAM C.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medical Det., 65th Engineer Combat Bn., 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: August 19, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Sergeant William C. Barker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 65th Engineer Combat Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, on August 19, 1950, near Chungam-ni, Korea. On this date Sergeant Barker was serving as aidman with Company B. Throughout the day the enemy launched repeated fanatical attacks against the strategic position held by Company B. During the battle, which raged for eight hours, Sergeant Barker made repeated trips over mountainous terrain exposed to concentrated enemy automatic weapons fire to evacuate wounded. In the final stages of the battle, when overwhelming hostile forces penetrated the company position and the order to withdraw was given, Sergeant Barker, heedless of the intense enemy fire, remained in a forward position and administered first aid to one of the wounded. When he had finished dressing the wounds the company had withdrawn; Sergeant Barker, unassisted, evacuated the wounded man down a treacherous slope to safety.
General Orders: HQ Eighth US Army Korea, General Orders No. 77 (September 23, 1950)

BOLEN, JACK
Private, U.S. Army
21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division
Date of Action: July 9, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jack Bolen (RA15415874), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with as a Medical Aidman attached to the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Private Bolen distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chonji, Korea, on 9 July 1950. On this date, an enemy division, supported by heavy armor and artillery, attacked his position. During the attack, Private Bolen, with complete disregard for his own life, circulated through the company's position rendering first aid wherever needed. While exposing himself in this selfless manner, he was seriously wounded. Despite the wound, he continued to aid his comrades until he collapsed from loss of blood.
General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 50 (September 3, 1950)

*CORNER, STANFORD O. (MIA)
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medical Det., 57th Field Artillery Bn., 7th Infantry Division
Date of Action: November 26 - 30, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Sergeant Stanford O. Corners, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, from November 26 to 30, 1950, near Changjin Reservoir, Korea. On the morning of November 28, 1950, the enemy attacked in great strength and, after isolating Battery A from the battalion, inflicted heavy casualties. Unmindful of his safety, Sergeant Corners constantly moved about ministering to the wounded under intense mortar and small arms fire. Establishing an aid station and collecting point in a native house, he evacuated casualties form the base of the surrounding mountains, frequently carrying them on his back or on crude improvised litters. Reaching the shelter, he further treated and prepared the patients for removal to the battalion aid station. When the battery was ordered to withdraw for consolidation with the battalion, he placed the wounded on a truck, covered them with blankets and sleeping bags for protection against the bitter cold and, under enemy fire, accompanied the vehicle to a friendly position where, under direction of the medical noncommissioned officer, he continued his heroic efforts until he was seriously wounded. Sergeant Corner’s valorous conduct, intrepid actions and selfless devotion to duty saved many lives, restored a large number of troops to combat effectiveness and reflect the utmost credit on himself and the honored traditions of the military service.
General Orders: General Headquarters Far East Command, General Orders No. 172 (July 2, 1951)
Hometown: Cherokee, Kansas

*DUSEK, RONALD D.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division
Date of Action: July 16, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ronald D. Dusek (RA16281678), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Private First Class Dusek distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces on the Kum River north of Taejon, Korea, on 16 July 1950. Private First Class was serving as a medical aid man when the company was in a defensive position on the Kum River line. The enemy attacked and succeeded in penetrating the right flank of the company's position, occupying some vacant foxholes and setting up four automatic-weapons with additional riflemen, which swept the company's position with deadly, accurate fire. Seeing that the company was being decimated, Private First Class Dusek manned a light machine-gun which was not being operated and delivered effective fire, keeping the enemy from advancing. Running out of ammunition, he took his pistol and several grenades and advanced on the enemy, driving them from the foxholes. He kept advancing, firing his pistol and throwing grenades, until he was killed by a burst of machine-gun fire.
General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 50 (September 3, 1950)
Home Town: Cook, Illinois

*FLEISCHMANN, RICHARD L.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Medical Corps, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Date of Action: September 6, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Private First Class Richard L. Fleischmann, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the Medical Company, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division, on September 6, 1950, near Changnyong, Korea. On the afternoon of September 6, 1950, Private Fleischmann was assigned as aid man to the machine-gun platoon of Company H, 23rd Infantry Regiment. One section of the platoon came under extremely heavy machine-gun and mortar fire and the section leader was wounded. In spite of concentrated enemy fire on the immediate area, Private Fleischmann ran forward to the gun position, removed the section leader to safety, and rendered medical treatment. A few moments later, the gunner of this weapon was also wounded, and once again he ran into point-blank machine-gun fire and removed this wounded man to safety. Although wounded on the second trip to the machine-gun position, he then took over the machine-gun and held off the enemy so that the remainder of the section could reorganize and move to a better position. He remained in position firing the machine-gun until he was killed.
General Orders: HQ Eighth US Army Korea, General Orders No. 113 (March 4, 1951); revoked and reissued in General Orders No. 320 (May 17, 1951)
Hometown: Deer Lodge, Montana

*HALL, RAYMOND E.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Medical Co., 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Date of Action: February 16, 1951
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Corporal Raymond E. Hall, United States Army, extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the Medical Company, Seventh Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division, near Sansong-ni, Korea, on February 16, 1951. On that date Corporal Hall was attached to Company M, Seventh Infantry Regiment, as an aid man during an attack on enemy occupied Hill 287. During the attack a tremendous concentration of mortar fire fell in the area, and all personnel in the vicinity were instructed to take cover. Corporal Hall hesitated, saying that he might be needed to render medical aid, but nevertheless moved to cover only when assured he would be called if needed. A few minutes later a second barrage of mortar fire and intense enemy small-arms fire raked the positions. The cry "Medic!" passed down the line. Corporal Hall grabbed his aid kit, sprang from his foxhole, and started toward the wounded soldier. His comrades called to him to wait until the incessant fire subsided, but he replied, "They need me. I must go." With complete disregard for his personal safety, he plunged into the midst of the enemy mortar fire and preceded toward the fallen soldier. He had advanced only one hundred yards when he was killed by a mortar round.
General Orders: HQ Eighth US Army Korea, General Orders No. 246 (April 27, 1951)

*JACKSON, LEVI JR. (MIA)
Corporal, U.S. Army
Medical Company, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: August 13, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Corporal Levi Jackson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the Medical Company, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, on August 13, 1950, near Haman, Korea. On this date Corporal Jackson was serving as medical aid man with Company G when two men were seriously wounded. Moving across the exposed terrain through the withering enemy small arms and automatic-weapons fire, he reached the men and was administering first aid when the enemy laid a devastating barrage on the area. Heedless of his personal safety, he shielded the two wounded men with his own body in an effort to protect them from further wounds. While in this exposed position he was mortally wounded. Corporal Jackson performed his duties as medical corpsman in a heroic manner. His primary concern at all times was the welfare and prompt treatment of the many wounded. On numerous occasions he evacuated men under the most adverse conditions over treacherous terrain while subjected to constant hostile fire.
General Orders: HQ Eighth US Army Korea, General Orders No. 77 (September 23, 1950)
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

*JOHNSON, CHARLES L.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Co. B, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 29, 1953
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Corporal Charles L. Johnson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as an aidman with Company B, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, on May 29, 1953, at Sanae-dong, Korea. The Third Platoon, spearheading an assault against "Carson Outpost," was pinned down by heavy concentrations of mortar fire and suffered numerous casualties. Constantly vulnerable to withering fire and bursting shells, Corporal Johnson moved fearlessly about the impact area comforting and ministering to the wounded, and assisted aidmen in adjacent platoons in treating and evacuating casualties. As enemy action increased in tempo and fury, fragments from a mortar burst struck him and completely blinded him. Although dazed, shaken, and unable to see, he pursued his heroic task and crawled among his comrades, attending their needs and offering words of encouragement until he was morally wounded.
General Orders: Department of the Army General Orders No. 84 (November 3, 1953)
Hometown: Dade, Florida

*KETCHUM, RUFUS L. (MIA)
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medical Det., 57th Field Artillery Bn., 7th Infantry Division
Date of Action: November 28 - 30, 1950
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Sergeant Rufus L. Ketchum, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while assigned to the Medical Detachment, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, in the vicinity of the Changjin Reservoir, Korea, from November 28 to 30, 1950. After the numerically superior enemy attacked and surrounded elements of the battalion and isolated the medical officer, Sergeant Ketchum assumed charge of the aidmen and, after establishing a collection point and an aid station in a native house, he moved fearlessly about the impact area in full view and under direct enemy fire to minister to and evacuate the wounded. Constantly vulnerable to vicious hostile fire, he supervised the search for blankets, sleeping bags, and parachutes to protect his patients from the bitter cold and foraged for coffee and other material comforts to meliorate their condition. Upon being ordered to withdraw, Sergeant Ketchum directed and assisted in placing the disabled in vehicles to form a motor convoy. Enemy fire was continuous and intense, and the progress of the column further impeded by a blinding snow storm, icy roads, and rugged mountainous terrain. After several vehicles were immobilized by hostile fire, Sergeant Ketchum directed transferal of the wounded to serviceable vehicles, and when the advance was halted by an enemy road block and withering fire rained down on the convoy from the surrounding hills wounding him in the chest and left arm, he continued to treat the injured. Sergeant Ketchum was last seen with his arm in a sling and, despite his painful wounds, administering a syrette of morphine to a wounded comrade.
General Orders: General Headquarters, Far East Command; General Orders No. 274 (December 2, 1951)
Hometown: Burnett, Wisconsin