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Michigan's Military and Space Heroes Museum


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As 18 series we are awarded and wear the CIB for combat, but only 11 Series wear the Infantry cord. Just one of those museum oversights I guess. Jarion is a Michigander in 10th SFG(A) who received the DSC for actions during OIF V in 2007/2008. I believe it was OIF V, they all run together after so many rotations. I know there is a display on him in one of the Michigan Museums. Thanks btw, I will make my way over to this one day now that I am out to pasture.

 

 

Staff Sergeant Jarion Halbisen-Gibbs

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Major Thomas Cussans

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

Captain (Infantry) Thomas L. Cussans, United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 3d Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 24 September 1944. Captain Cussans' outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 88th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

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Ensign Oswald Gaynier

 

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Oswald J. Gaynier (NSN: 0-98482), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from Naval Air Station Midway during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 and 5 June 1942. In the first attack against an enemy carrier of the Japanese invasion fleet, Ensign Gaynier pressed home his attack in the face of withering fire from enemy Japanese fighters and anti-aircraft forces. Because of events attendant upon the Battle of Midway, there can be no doubt that he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

 

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Staff Sergeant Jarion Halbisen-Gibbs

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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Jarion Halbisengibbs, United States Army, extraordinary heroism in action on 10 September 2007 in combat operations in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM. As the Detachment weapon sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha 083 (ODA-083), 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs displayed extraordinary courage under fire while combat-advising a combined assault element of the Iraqi National Police during Operation Chromium, a raid to capture Al Qaeda in Iraq's Minister of Defense for Ad Din Province in Samarra. Through his fearless actions, Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs directly saved the lives of two of his fellow Soldiers, personally killed six of the eleven enemies Killed in Action, enabled the rescue of one hostage, and ensured the elimination of a terrorist responsible for kidnappings and murders throughout the Samarra region. His unparalleled courage under fire, decisive leadership and personal sacrifice were directly responsible for the operations success and ensured the province of Ad Din did not fall into insurgent hands. Staff Sergeant Jarion Halbisengibbs' outstanding performance of duty is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: For exceptional gallantry under intense enemy fire as the Detachment Weapons Sergeant of Special Forces Operational Detachment - Alpha 083, Advanced Operating Base 080, on 10 September 2007. Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs, while combat advising a combined assault element of Iraqi National Police during Operation CHROMIUM, an intelligence driven raid to capture a High Value Islamic State of Iraq terrorist in the Samarra area, acted with the utmost bravery and valor through exemplary violence of action to eliminate a heavily armed and entrenched enemy stronghold. Upon air infiltration into an unplanned landing zone, Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs immediately redirected the disoriented Iraqi assault force towards the objective in total brownout conditions. His quick thinking and ability to refocus the confused assault element ensured that the enemy could not effectively reposition itself and engage the support element maneuvering to his flank. Upon clearing the first structure, the assault element immediately came under enemy machine gun fire causing a dangerous pause in the momentum of the Iraqi National Police. Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs instantly identified the immediate threat and killed an enemy defending from inside the doorway of the targeted building. He then proceeded to regain the momentum by personally leading the assault force into the targeted building while under constant enemy gunfire. Initiating the assault with a single fragmentary grenade, instantly killing an additional three terrorists entrenched inside the building, he instinctively cleared the entryway, entered the building and engaged and instantly killed an enemy firing at the assault element from inside the building at close range. Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs continued to clear the structure in complete darkness as his night vision goggles and personal radio were all destroyed by enemy gunfire at point blank range. Stumbling over a dead enemy, he was shot in the thumb and propelled to the ground by the blast of an enemy grenade which propelled two other Operational Detachment - Alpha (ODA) assaulters out of the building. Alone, he relentlessly continued to engage the concealed enemy and in a moment of intense close quarters battle killed one additional terrorist inside the now chaotic structure. Once the targeted building was cleared, Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs exited the building and immediately passed a verbal status report to his ODA indicating that he was injured but that he was able to continue the fight. He immediately came under automatic weapons fire at close range from a defending enemy position in an adjacent structure not yet cleared by the stalled National Police assault force. As Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs reacted to the threat, he was shot in the abdomen, but was still able to kill the enemy as he fell to the ground seriously wounded. Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs' heroic performance rekindled the fighting spirit in the stalled Iraqi force, who carried on the assault and cleared the remainder of the objective. Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs was responsible for single - handedly killing six enemy out of a total of eleven on this objective and eliminating a High Value Terrorist who led operations throughout Salah ad Din Province. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of valorous military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.

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Lieutenant Charles Chappel

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Charles F. Chappel, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with 399th Infantry, 85th Division (Detachment in North Russia), in action near Kadish, Russia, 27 September 1918. Lieutenant Chappel led his men in attack against a superior force of the enemy. Disregarding all personal danger, he personally advanced upon enemy machine guns, then in action, thereby assisting in building up a firing line of the attacking force. He was killed while making this dash.

 

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Major Urban Drew (awarded the Air Force Cross in 1983 for actions in 1944)

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Major (Air Corps) [then First Lieutenant] Urban L. "Ben" Drew (ASN: 0-82117), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane and Leader of Blue Flight, 375th Fighter Squadron, 361st Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force in action near Hamm, Germany, on 7 October 1944. On that date, Lieutenant Drew became the first Allied pilot to shoot down in combat two ME-262 aircraft. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, and in the dedication of his service to his country, Lieutenant Drew reflected the highest credit on himself and the United States Air Force.

 

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Lt. Colonel Chalres Kettles

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Field Artillery) Charles S. Kettles (ASN: 0-1938018), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 176th Aviation Company (Airmobile) (Light), 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division. Major Kettles distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 May 1967 while serving as aircraft commander of a helicopter supporting infantry operations near Duc Pho. An airborne Infantry unit had come under heavy enemy attack and had suffered casualties. Major Kettles immediately volunteered to carry reinforcements to the embattled force and evacuate their wounded from the battle site. Although friendly artillery had pounded the hostile positions, the enemy was well entrenched and fighting fiercely. Major Kettles led a flight of helicopters into the landing zone through a savage barrage. Small arms and automatic weapons fire raked the landing zone and inflicted heavy damage to the ships, but Major Kettles refused to leave the ground until all the craft were loaded to capacity. He then led them out of the battle area. He later returned to the battlefield with more reinforcements and landed in the midst of a rain of mortar and automatic weapons fire which wounded his gunner and ruptured his fuel tank. After leading more wounded aboard, he nursed the crippled craft back to his base. He then secured another ship and led a flight of six helicopters to extract the Infantry unit. All but eight men had been loaded when Major Kettles directed the flight to take off. Completely disregarding his safety, he maneuvered his lone craft through a savage enemy fusillade to where the remainder of the Infantrymen waited. Mortar fire blasted out his windshield, but he remained on the ground until the men were aboard. The enemy concentrated massive firepower on his helicopter and another mortar round badly damaged his tail boom, but he once more skillfully guided his heavily damaged ship to safety. Major Kettles' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

 

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First Lieutenant Karl Richter

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Karl Wendell Richter (AFSN: 0-78872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, as the leader of a flight of F-105s on a mission over North Vietnam on 20 April 1967. The target, a very important railroad facility, was defended by several hundred anti-aircraft artillery emplacement and SA-2 missiles. Lieutenant Richter's mission was to destroy or limit fire from these defenses immediately before a strike on this facility by fighter bombers. Arriving over the approach to the target, he found clouds obscuring navigational references and increasing the danger from unobserved SAM launches. Despite weather conditions, Lieutenant Richter, with great professional skill and undaunted determination, led his flight through a barrage of missiles to the target. Braving the heavy concentrated fire of the anti-aircraft artillery, he positioned his flight and attacked the defenses, causing heavy damage. As a result of his efforts, the fighter bombers of the main strike force encountered only limited defensive fire and destroyed this vital railroad facility. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, First Lieutenant Richter reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

 

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Corporal Ray Gonzales

 

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Ray B. Gonzales (ASN: RA-38680214), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Corporal Gonzales distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Naisonggum, Korea, on 25 January 1951. On that date, a patrol, of which Corporal Gonzales was a member, was approaching the village of Naisonggum when a large enemy force opened fire from concealed positions and attacked the patrol. During the attack, Corporal Gonzales and four comrades were cut off from the main body of the patrol. In the fierce fighting which followed, Corporal Gonzales received a head wound and his right elbow was shattered by enemy machine-gunfire. Disregarding his wounds, he immediately took command of the small group, deploying them and directing effective fire on the enemy. When the enemy launched a "banzai" attack in an effort to overrun his positions, corporal Gonzales, firing his carbine with his left hand, personally killed two of them. Repelling the assault, the group, inspired by the heroism and courageous leadership of Corporal Gonzales, continued to repulse subsequent attacks until dark, at which time he led them in a successful withdrawal from the enemy trap. Due to the rugged terrain and the large number of enemy operating in the area, he was forced to take a devious route to the company area over steep, snow-covered mountains in sub-zero temperature. Although painfully wounded himself, Corporal Gonzales helped carry another man, wounded in the leg, back to the company. By his insistent demands that the group keep moving, he led them all night through the intense cold and arrived at the company area at 0600 hours the following morning A medical examination revealed that, in addition to his wounds, his feet were also frozen.

 

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Major Norman Appold

 

SYNOPSIS:

Major (Air Corps) Norman C. Appold, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 514th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Major Appold acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged he continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Major Appold, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast in the cockpit to unload his bombs on the enemy targets, and then returned to his home base without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Major Appold on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

 

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Lt. Commander Philip Armstrong, Jr.

 

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Philip McCutcheon Armstrong, Jr. (NSN: 0-569825/1100), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with an armed attack on the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5) in the Eastern Mediterranean, on 8 June 1967. During the early afternoon hours, the U.S.S. LIBERTY was attacked without warning by jet fighter aircraft and three motor torpedo boats. Subjected to intense incendiary, machine-gun, and rocket fire, and placed in extreme jeopardy by a torpedo hit below the waterline on the starboard side, the U.S.S. LIBERTY sustained numerous personnel casualties and severe structural damage. Serving as Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Armstrong was on the bridge when the first strafing attack occurred. A large fire erupted in the vicinity of two 55-gallon gasoline drums, creating the grave danger that the drums might explode and cause a widespread conflagration. Lieutenant Commander Armstrong fearlessly exposed himself to overwhelmingly accurate rocket and machine-gun fire while proceeding to jettison the gasoline drums and organizing a party of men to extinguish the blazing lifeboats nearby. At this time, he received multiple injuries which proved to be fatal a few hours after the attack terminated. By his aggressiveness, composure under fire, and inspiring leadership, Lieutenant Commander Armstrong upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

 

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Sergeant Richard Teevens

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Richard Paul Teevens (ASN: 18733344), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment B-36, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant Teevens distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 November 1967 while serving as a member of a Special Forces combat patrol on a mission deep in hostile territory. While moving through dense jungle in an attempt to engage enemy elements and capture a prisoner, his team detected heavy activity to its front. A reconnaissance element moved forward to investigate and reported finding a hostile base camp occupied by a numerically superior Viet Cong force. After requesting air strikes on the enemy camp, his unit was ordered to assault the position and mark it with smoke. As the patrol approached the camp, it was ambushed by insurgents firing the automatic weapons and small arms from well fortified positions. Sergeant Teevens saw a comrade hit and pinned down in the ravaging barrage and dashed across fifty yards of open ground under a hail of fire to rescue the man. With bullets striking all around him and friendly air strikes pounding the camp, he completely disregarded his own safety and remained exposed to the enemy weapons to treat the wounded man. The insurgents concentrated their fire on him, and he was hit by fragments from an exploding grenade while shielding his comrade with his body. Heedless of his wounds and the intensifying barrage, he crawled across the bullet-swept battlefield dragging his helpless comrade to safety. He was mortally wounded while unselfishly placing the safety of a fellow soldier above his own welfare. Sergeant Teevens' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

 

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Lieutenant Ira Kepford

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Ensign] Ira Cassius Kepford (NSN: 0-145744), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), embarked in the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Solomon Islands, on 11 November 1943. While covering United States Task Force FIFTY POINT THREE (TF-50.3) in Empress Augusta Bay, Kepford participated in an engagement involving approximately one hundred Japanese aircraft. Gallantly pressing home his attacks through intense anti-aircraft fire, he destroyed four enemy bombers and damaged another out of a formation of thirty. His courage and airmanship reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Kepford and the United States Naval Service.

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Ensign] Ira Cassius Kepford (NSN: 0-145744), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), embarked in the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, on 29 January 1944. Intercepted by a numerically superior force of Japanese planes while flying escort for a bomber strike over Tobara airfield, Lieutenant Kepford and a companion engaged twelve enemy planes and, pressing home his repeated attacks, personally shot down four of the hostile aircraft. By his expert airmanship and courage in the face of tremendous odds, Lieutenant Kepford contributed materially to the success of the mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

 

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Robert Grof

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Armor) Robert L. Grof (ASN: 0-5513249), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop D, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. Captain Grof distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1967 as an aircraft commander during an evacuation mission for the 9th Infantry Division. Hearing an urgent radio request to evacuate over one hundred casualties from a heated battle, Captain Grof flew to the unsecured area and landed to load the wounded. Intense machine gun fire raked the aircraft and wounded him in the face. Despite the pain of his injury, impairment of his sight and a crippled ship, he successfully flew out of the area to a treatment center. Upon reaching the hospital, Captain Grof volunteered to stay in his aircraft and returned to the beleaguered unit for more casualties. While patients were being loaded, the helicopter was rendered inoperative by numerous additional hits, one of which wounded Captain Grof a second time. Despite the incredibly intense fire directed on his craft, he remained aboard to radio other helicopters in the area to move to a more secure area. Seeing another ship crash nearby, he rushed to the scene and made repeated trips through an open rice paddy to help the survivors to safety. He then recovered vital ammunition from the downed craft and established a perimeter defense. He and his men successfully repelled the enemy until medical evacuation helicopters could land and evacuate them. Captain Grof's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

 

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Sergeant Matthew Grahek

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Matthew George Grahek, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company M, 339th Infantry, 85th Division (Detachment in North Russia), in action near Obozerskaya, Russia, 29 September 1918. Sergeant Grahek voluntarily went forward about 150 yards in advance of our line, exposed to heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, and rescued a wounded comrade. Again, on 1 April 1919, near Bolshieozerke, Russia, he advanced alone with a Lewis gun against enemy snipers concealed in a ditch and routed them.

 

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Chief Master Sergeant Duane Hackney

 

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Airman Second Class Duane D. Hackney (AFSN: 16827003), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, as a Paramedic (Pararescueman) on an unarmed HH-3E Rescue Helicopter near Mu Gia Pass, North Vietnam, on 6 February 1967. On that date, Airman Hackney flew two sorties in a heavily defended hostile area. On the first sortie, despite the presence of armed forces known to be hostile, entrenched in the vicinity, Airman Hackney volunteered to be lowered into the jungle to search for the survivor. He searched until the controlling Search and Rescue agency ordered an evacuation of the rescue crew. On the second sortie, Airman Hackney located the downed pilot, who was hoisted into the helicopter. As the rescue crew departed the area, intense and accurate 37-mm. flak tore into the helicopter amidships, causing extensive damage and a raging fire aboard the craft. With complete disregard for his own safety, Airman Hackney fitted his parachute to the rescued man. In this moment of impending disaster, Airman Hackney chose to place his responsibility to the survivor above his own life. The courageous Pararescueman located another parachute for himself and had just slipped his arms through the harness when a second 37-mm. round struck the crippled aircraft, sending it out of control. The force of the explosion blew Airman Hackney through the open cargo door and, though stunned, he managed to deploy the unbuckled parachute and make a successful landing. He was later recovered by a companion helicopter. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Airman Hackney reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

 

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Brigadier General Miller O. "Moppy" Perry

 

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Miller Osborne Perry (ASN: 0-18427), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with the 52d Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Perry distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Osan, Korea, on 5 July 1950. On this date Lieutenant Colonel Perry voluntarily accompanied one of his batteries, part of a task force numbering less than four hundred men, deep into enemy territory. The task force organized a defensive position in the path of the advancing enemy and Colonel Perry remained to assist the infantry battalion commander and direct the artillery battery. The enemy attacked in overwhelming numbers, supported by heavy tanks and, without regard for his own personal safety, Colonel Perry manned a rocket launcher from an exposed position firing at tanks from distances of ten to fifteen yards. The rockets were ineffective against the heavy armor, so Colonel Perry ordered his 105-mm. howitzers to place direct fire on the tanks, destroying six. During a lull in the firing the enemy displayed a flag of truce and Colonel Perry, in advancing to recognize the flag, was fired on and wounded. He refused to be evacuated and later on directed the fire that enabled his battery to break out of encirclement, then personally led them twenty miles through enemy held territory to safety.

 

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Commander Carl Foster

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Carl Clifford Foster, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY (VF-30), attached to the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), during action against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa, in the Ryukyu Chain, on 6 April 1945. Flying target combat air patrol, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Foster pressed home determined attacks against hostile aircraft and, in a single engagement, destroyed THREE enemy fighters and THREE enemy dive bombers. By his superb airmanship, he assisted materially in breaking up a large-scale enemy air attack on units of our Fleet engaged in landing operations on Okinawa. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Foster and the United States Naval Service.

 

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Storekeeper 2nd Class Joseph Pagel

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Seaman Second Class Joseph Lloyd Pagel, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. PORTLAND (CA-33), in action against the enemy during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 12 - 13 November, 1942. During the hazardous night action Seaman Second Class Pagel remained at his station as the control circuit telephone operator in the Starboard five inch director. Even though seriously wounded by a shell fragment which passed through both legs, he refrained from mentioning his injuries until a lull in the action permitted his relief. Pagel had continued the transmission of control orders and reports in a distinct and calm manner thereby making possible continuous control of his battery which was engaged in illuminating the enemy with star shells. His courageous conduct in remaining at his station despite his weakened condition, and with complete disregard for his own safety, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.

 

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