Born: June 13, 1929 Corporal, United States Army Service# US56124625
K CO, 3RD BATTALION, 180TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 45TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Date of Enlistment: November 4, 1952 Home or Place of Enlistment: Carey, Idaho Killed in Action: July 15, 1953 Location or Battle Zone: Christmas Hill
ARMY DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION (PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION)
As authorized by executive order 9396 and in the name of the President of the United States, the Distinguished Unit Citation is awarded to:
THE 3D BATTALION, 180TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 45TH INFANTRY DIVISION
CITATION: The 3d Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, and attached units, are cited for outstanding performance of duty and extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Tumyong-dong, Korea, during the period 13 June to 15 June 1952. On 13 June, the battalion was assigned the mission of seizing and holding a commanding terrain feature held by a large, well-entrenched enemy force which, in the preceding 48 hours, had hurled back two attacking friendly battalions with heavy casualties. Striking swiftly behind a concentrated friendly artillery barrage, the battalion moved up the slope, fought its way into the enemy trenches, and, in a bitter hand-to-hand struggle, drove the defenders from their positions. Acting quickly, the unit then consolidated its gains, preparing hasty fortifications and establishing a defensive perimeter. With the coming of darkness, an intense hostile artillery bombardment was directed against the battalion’s positions; over 2,500 rounds exploded in the area in one 25-minute period. As the bombardment continued, repeated waves of hostile troops charged up the hill and hurled themselves against the friendly defenses. With unwavering determination, the friendly infantrymen threw back the fanatical, numerically superior enemy, successfully held their positions, and maintained the battalion perimeter. Throughout the day of 14 June, the enemy placed thousands of artillery rounds on the tactically important crest. As evening approached, the barrage was increased in intensity and the personnel of the battalion prepared to withstand a second hostile attack. Friendly mortar, artillery, and automatic-weapons fire was directed with great accuracy on every conceivable enemy assembly point, and by morning stunned groups of hostile troops were observed moving northward, leaving the battered friendly forces in possession of its objective. In this action, the battalion inflicted over 2,000 casualties on the enemy, crippling the enemy’s potential in the sector, in addition to capturing the important height. The 3d battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, displayed such an extraordinary degree of tenacity and courage in accomplishing its hazardous mission as to set it apart from and above other units participating in similar actions. The fortitude, aggressiveness, and exceptional fighting spirit exhibited by the members of this battalion reflect great credit on themselves and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.
REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
By Order of the Secretary of the Army, the Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded by the President of the Republic of Korea to:
FORTY-FIFTH INFANTRY DIVISION, UNITED STATES ARMY
CITATION: For the period 10 December 1951 to 31 July 1953. The 45th United States Infantry Division continually exhibited extraordinary valor in combat and an unsurpassed excellence in the training and coordinating of Republic of Korea forces. In June 1952, the Division initiated a series of brilliant surprise attacks in order to establish a formidable outpost line beyond the existing main line of resistance and acquired many new positions, including the now famous hill masses of “Eerie” and “Baldy.” The outposts were held securely in spite of the intense enemy counterattacks to recapture the strategic sites. Without yielding any of the newly acquired gains, the Division inflicted heavy losses upon the foe before it was replaced after over two hundred days of continuous combat. At this point, the men of the 45th United States Infantry Division undertook the important task of technically training Republic of Korea troops. Their efforts were rewarded by a display of brilliant combat effectiveness throughout the Republic of Korea forces. The return to front line positions in September 1952 by the Thunderbird Division created a new chapter in the military accomplishments of both United States and Korean troops as the two fused and fought together with a rare display of unity. During the Communist summer offensive of 1953, the 45th United States Infantry Division once again exhibited its fighting spirit and singleness of purpose as it frustrated enemy attacks and preserved vital positions on “Sand Bag Castle,” “Heartbreak Ridge,” and “Christmas Hill.” The steadfast devotion to duty, gallantry in battle and cooperative spirit with which Republic of Korea troops were made an integral part of a unified force reflect the greatest credit upon the 45th United States Infantry Division and uphold the most esteemed traditions of the military profession.