Born: November 13, 1928 Corporal, United States Army Service# US56089345
D CO, 3RD BATTALION, 32ND INFANTRY REGIMENT, 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Date of Enlistment: October 27, 1950 Home or Place of Enlistment: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Killed in Action: August 27, 1951 Location: Chg'u-dong, North Korea
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Korean War Service: Army; Rank: Corporal; Division: 7th Infantry Division GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 55 (January 28, 1952)
CITATION: The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal George William Otto (ASN: US-56089345), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a machine-gunner with an Infantry Company of the 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Corporal Otto distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chg'u-dong, Korea, on 27 August 1951. On that date, Corporal Otto was occupying a forward emplacement in a defense perimeter which had just been captured from the enemy. The fanatical force subjected the perimeter to an almost continuous barrage of artillery, mortar and automatic weapons fire but the friendly troops held their positions and hurled back the numerous probing attacks launched by the enemy. When the enemy launched a full-scale assault against the friendly force, Corporal Otto quickly realized that the numerical superiority of the hostile troops seriously endangered his forward position and immediately ordered all of the friendly troops to withdraw to more tenable positions. Remaining at his own position and directing a devastating volume of fire into the on-rushing ranks of the enemy, Corporal Otto provided effective covering fire as his comrades withdrew. With the entire firepower of the attacking enemy being concentrated on his position, and with overwhelming numbers of the hostile troops rushing closer and closer to his position, he doggedly remained behind his weapon, cutting down the enemy soldiers who were trying desperately to neutralize his position. When his machine-gun jammed; he courageously continued to fire at the enemy by using his pistol until he was hit and killed by enemy fire. When the friendly troops launched a counterattack and regained Corporal Otto's position, they found him lying beside his machine-gun with numerous enemy dead strewn about the emplacement.
ARMY DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION (PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION)
As authorized by Executive Order 9396, citation of the following units is confirmed in accordance with AR 260-15 in the name of the President of the United States as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction. The citation reads as follows:
The 3d Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and the following attached units:
2d Platoon, Heavy Mortar Company, 32d Infantry Regiment; 3d Platoon, Medical Company, 32d Infantry Regiment; Liason Team, Headquarters Battery, 48th Field Artillery Battalion; Forward Observation Team, Battery C, 48th Field Artillery Battalion
are cited for outstanding performance of duty and extraordinary heroism in action against the armed enemy in the vicinity of Hill 902 and Kuangchidong, Korea on 23 April 1951. On that date at 0250 hours, an enemy attacking force of undetermined strength struck a heavy blow against the perimeter of Company K. By 0400 hours, the attack had reached a savage intensity and it was estimated that an entire enemy battalion had concentrated its forces in a break-through attempt in this company's sector on Hill 902. By 0455 hours, the right flank of the company had been penetrated by the sheer weight of the attacking force, and the situation became critical. A break-through at that point would have crippled friendly operations in the entire sector of the front. Men of Company K clung doggedly to their positions, slashing counterattacks into the enemy's superior numbers. Company I, outposting Hills 610 and 680, was attacked on Hill 680 by an estimated enemy force numbering over 400. The enemy storming the hill from three sides was repulsed in his repeated banzai attacks. In an outpost action unparalleled in any campaign, Company I not only blunted the assault on the numerically superior attacking force but, at 1030 hours, launched a vicious counterattack into the enemy's midst. At 0530, when the right flank of Company L came under attack, the enemy hit a veritable stone wall. Troops of Company L clung stubbornly to their positions, battling fiercely. In 30 minutes the assaulting force had not only been stopped but had been beaten off. The machine guns, mortars, and recoilless rifles of Company M engaged the enemy in a manner that will remain exemplary in the history of the role of heavy-weapons companies in the Korean campaign. Gunners remained in positions until guns had been destroyed or the enemy assault had been stopped. Hundreds of enemy dead littering the approaches were mute proof of the accuracy, foresight, and battle effectiveness of Company M. The outstanding valor of the entire 3d battalion at a time when other units were falling back under the ponderous force of a powerful enemy drive was inspirational to hard-pressed United Nations forces and prevented a break-through that might well have rendered the positions of friendly forces in the entire sector untenable. The 3d Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and attacked units displayed such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing their mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set them apart and above other units participating in the action. The extraordinarily heroic conduct of the members of these valiant units reflects great credit on themselves and the military service of the United States. (General Orders 575, Headquarters, Eighth United States Army, Korea, 22 July 1951.)
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:
SEVENTH INFANTRY DIVISION, UNITED STATES ARMY
CITATION: The 7th Infantry Division, after playing a significant role in the liberation of Seoul effecting a link-up with the 1st Cavalry Division, was landed amphibiously at Iwon in North Korea on October 28, 1950. Elements of the Division spearheaded a drive to the north and entered the Yalu River city of Hyesanjin in November 1950 and a task force moved to the eastern shore of the Chosin Reservoir and with the 1st Marine Division participated in severe fighting against the Chinese Communist Forces. The task force reached Hungnam in December 1950, and rejoined other elements of the Division. After successfully defending a sector of the perimeter, the Division was evacuated by sea for further operations. Early in 1951, the Division advanced in the eastern sector to a position just south of the 38th parallel and continued its attack to the north, capturing important objectives and defeating enemy attempts to break through key positions. In May the Division led a drive on the central front and captured the key city of Hwachon. Limited objective attacks were conducted during August and September, and from October 1951 to February 1952 the Division with exceptional gallantry occupied and defended positions in the Heartbreak Ridge and Punch Bowl areas. From April 1952 until the cease-fire was effected on 27 July 1953 the Division launched coordinated attacks with the Second Republic of Korea Division, successfully defending important positions in the Chorwon Valley sector, and actively and effectively patrolled vital areas. The outstanding performance of duty by each individual member of the 7th Division and attached units contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of the mission of the United Nations Forces and is in accord with the highest traditions of the military service. By this citation each member of the 7th United States Infantry Division and attached units who served in Korea during the period 30 September 1950 to 27 July 1953 is entitled to wear the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.