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General Headquarters, Far East Command
General Orders No. 53 - October 30, 1950
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 (Air Force) to Major General Emmett O'Donnell, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding General, Bomber Command, Far East Air Forces (Provisional), in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea from 13 July to 16 September 1950, during three important combat missions over enemy targets. On 13 July 1950, General O'Donnell led and directed the strike of fifty-two aircraft which dropped four hundred and forty-nine tons of explosives on railroad yards and shop installations at Wonsan, resulting in the complete destruction of railroad repair facilities in that area. On 16 August 1950, he led and directed ninety-eight aircraft in a maximum effort strike during which eight hundred and forty-six tons of explosives were dropped on reported enemy materiel and troop concentrations in the Waegwan area, breaking up enemy preparations for an attack in that sector. On 16 September 1950, General O'Donnell led and directed an eighty aircraft strike which dropped six hundred tons of bombs on targets in the Pyongyang area, causing extensive damage to oil refineries, warehouses, and a steam power plant. During these strikes, his aircraft was subject to attack by enemy aircraft and ground anti-aircraft fire, and he was in danger of death or capture by the enemy. His exemplary action in constantly risking his life while personally leading his flight, although in a position where such duty was not required of him, was a source of inspiration for other members of his command, reflecting great credit on himself and the military service.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, has awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, posthumously, to First Lieutenant Joseph T. O'Donnell, USA for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy.
First Lieutenant O'Donnell, Infantry, United States Army, a member of Company A, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Mundung-ni, Korea on 13 October 1951. On that date, Company A launched an assault on a strategic hill strongly defended by a determined enemy. Lieutenant O'Donnell led his platoon until they were halted by a heavy barrage of enemy small arms and mortar fire. Unhesitatingly, and with complete indifference to the intense fire, Lieutenant O'Donnell placed himself at the head of his platoon and led them in a renewed assault, during which he charged and destroyed an enemy position, killing its occupants with his rifle and grenades. Although wounded by an enemy grenade he continued to lead his men in the attack. Knocked down by a second grenade, he immediately arose and again continued to direct his men in the assault. In the platoon's final charge, Lieutenant O'Donnell was fatally wounded by mortar fragments. His bravery and spirited leadership were an inspiration to all who witnessed his actions and contributed immeasurably in the successful completion of the mission. The courage, tenacity, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant O'Donnell reflect the highest credit upon himself, his unit and the military service.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army
General Orders No. 238 - May 5, 1952
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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) James N. Oglesby (ASN: 0-2205488), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Platoon Leader Company A, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Oglesby distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mundung-ni, Korea, on 5 May 1952. On that date, the company of which Lieutenant Oglesby was a member was engaged in an attack against a large hostile force occupying heavily fortified positions on a strategic hill. As the assaulting elements neared their objective, they were subjected to a heavy volume of small-arms, automatic-weapons, mortar, and artillery fire. Realizing that the friendly troops before him were pinned down and threatened with annihilation, Lieutenant Oglesby organized his own platoon and led his men through the halted attackers to renew the attack on the hostile positions. However, the intense enemy fire soon also stopped the fresh assault force. With the knowledge that the attack would fail unless the key hostile emplacements were destroyed, Lieutenant Oglesby, without regard for his personal safety, left his position of cover and, armed with a supply of grenades, moved forward in a single-handed attack. Although the hostile troops converged their entire firepower on him, he advanced to the nearest enemy position and destroyed it with grenades. After replenishing his supply of ammunition, he moved forward a second time and destroyed another enemy bunker. In this attack Lieutenant Oglesby was mortally wounded by the intense enemy fire but his fearless actions had seriously weakened the hostile defense and his men, inspired by his fighting spirit, rushed through the gap he had created and secured the objective.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army
General Orders No. 986 (December 12, 1951)
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 Private First Class Arthur I. Okamura (ASN: US-50001563), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 24th Infantry Division. Private First Class Okamura distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Muto, Korea, on 14 October 1951. On that date, Company A was engaged in an assault against well-fortified enemy hill positions. As the friendly force advanced, it was temporarily halted by a heavy volume of enemy machine-gun fire. During this period, Private Okamura discovered an enemy minefield directly in the path of the assaulting friendly troops. With a total disregard for his personal safety, he immediately exposed himself to the intense fire of the enemy and began to clear the area of mines and booby traps. Working with unrelenting determination, under the direct observation of the enemy, Private Okamura skillfully removed mine after mine. After four hours of courageous effort, the minefield was almost entirely cleared when one of the hostile booby traps detonated and mortally wounded him. Greatly inspired by the fearlessness of Private Okamura, his comrades renewed their assault and swept the hostile force from the hill, inflicting numerous casualties among them. The heroic actions of Private Okamura were directly responsible for saving the lives friendly troops. Pfc. Okamura was from Hawaii.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army
General Orders No. 570 (July 21, 1951)
Home town: Oahu, Hawaii
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously) to Bruno R. Orig (RA 10104620), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private Orig distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chipyong-ni, Korea, on 15 February 1951. On that date, Private Orig, while returning from a wire laying mission, observed a number of his comrades who had been wounded in a fierce enemy attack that was still in progress. With complete disregard for his own safety, he went to the aid of these men and remained in an exposed position in order to administer first aid to them. With the assistance of several comrades from the company command post he began removing the wounded to a place of safety. While returning from one of these trips, he noticed that all except one man of a machine-gun crew had been wounded. Without hesitation, he volunteered to man the weapon. Remaining in this position, Private Orig placed such effective fire on the enemy that a withdrawing friendly platoon was able to move back without a single casualty. He continued to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy until the company positions were overrun. Later that day, when the lost ground was recaptured, Private Orig was found dead beside his weapon and the area in front of his gun was littered with enemy dead. Private Orig was from Hawaii.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces
General Orders No. 38 - January 23, 1953
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 (Air Force) to Colonel Robert H. Orr, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Group Leader of thirty-six F-84 type aircraft, 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 17 November 1952. On that date, Colonel Orr skillfully led his Group to the target, an important heavily defended enemy troop and supply concentration at Kapal-li, Korea, which was obscured by low clouds, haze, and fog. While Colonel Orr was initiating his napalm run, his aircraft was seriously damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Struggling to control his crippled aircraft, Colonel Orr, utterly disregarding his own personal safety, heroically continued his attack, scoring two direct hits which guided succeeding pilots to the almost invisible target. After all Squadrons had completed their devastating highly successful attack, Colonel Orr, using both hands and all his strength to control his heavily damaged aircraft, reformed his Squadrons, and led them safely home. Through his selfless courage in the face of the enemy, his keen airmanship, marksmanship, and devotion to duty, Colonel Orr upheld the highest traditions of the military service, and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army
General Orders No. 94 - 1951
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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Bill M. Otomo (ASN: 0-1340575), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Otomo distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Ipack, Korea, on 27 November 1950. Leading his platoon into an area which was then under heavy enemy fire, Lieutenant Otomo personally placed each man in a defensive position, assigning fields of fire and insuring the best possible cover for each individual. Almost immediately after occupying the position, the platoon was subjected to several fanatical attacks by an overwhelming enemy force. Although Lieutenant Otomo was hit in the back by grenade fragments, he refused medical attention for his wounds. Moving from position to position in the platoon area, he continued to inspire and encourage his men to hold. Led by Lieutenant Otomo, the platoon engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting, throwing the enemy back and eliminating the threat to the company flank. Lieutenant Otomo's courage, outstanding leadership, and cool judgment were an example to all concerned and prevented an enemy breakthrough at a critical point.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army
General Orders No. 192 (April 12, 1952)
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 Rawland N. Otterstrom (ASN: US-56059056), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 24th Infantry Division. Corporal Otterstrom distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sangyang, Korea, on 13 October 1951. On that date, the company of which Corporal Otterstrom was a member was engaged in an assault against a series of heavily fortified and well-concealed enemy positions. As the friendly troops advanced, they were subjected to heavy small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire which increased in intensity until they were forced to seek cover. At this point in the assault, the company commander was severely wounded by an exploding mortar shell and fell helpless on the fire-swept terrain. Observing that his leader was completely exposed to the fire of a hidden enemy machine-gun, Corporal Otterstrom left his position of cover and attempted to reach the stricken man. With utter fearlessness, he worked his way through the heavy enemy fire being concentrated on him until he was hit and instantly killed by a burst from the machine-gun. His heroic action, however, had forced the hidden automatic-weapons crew to reveal their location and the friendly forces immediately converged their entire firepower on the emplacement. With the enemy positions destroyed, the friendly troops were able to renew their assault and evacuate their leader.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army
General Orders No. 55 - January 28, 1952
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.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force) to First Lieutenant Dolphin Dunnaha Overton, III (AFSN: 0-18504A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States as Group Leader of twenty-two F-84 type Aircraft, 49th Bomber Wing, FIFTH Air Force, on 28 June 1952. On that date, Lieutenant Overton's group was diverted against a target of truck convoys discovered by a previous recce flight. Working in and through an overcast, Lieutenant Overton planned and executed a very difficult attack, sequencing his aircraft in such a manner as to provide maximum coverage of the target with minimum risk from heavy ground fire. With disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Overton remained in enemy fire under the overcast so that he could visually direct the attacks and withdrawals. So successful was Lieutenant Overton's direction of the attack, that one hundred fifty trucks were destroyed and confirmed by photograph, making it one of the largest such strikes of the war. Lieutenant Overton's command of this strike in such adverse conditions and with such devastating results highlights his superb flying skill and extraordinary heroism in the face of fierce enemy opposition. Lieutenant Overton's actions reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, the United States Air Force, and the United Nations Command.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army
General Orders No. 117 - February 28, 1952
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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) James B. Owen (ASN: 0-543663), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Owen distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Taeusan, Korea, on 26 July 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Owen moved forward with the lead element of the company as it launched an assault against a large hostile force, firmly entrenched on a commanding slope. As the company attacked, it was subjected to heavy and accurate fire which began to inflict many casualties among the advancing troops. Shouting directions to his men, Lieutenant Owen deployed them to more advantageous positions and then charged the first enemy emplacement. As he neared the position, his weapon was blown from his hands and he was seriously wounded by the intense fire being concentrated on him by the desperate defenders. Undaunted, he continued with his assault and destroyed the emplacement with grenades. Eliminating position after position in this manner with utter fearlessness and despite his wound, Lieutenant Owen so inspired his men that they moved forward in a body and, displaying fierce determination, drove the enemy from their positions. When the hill was secured and a defensive perimeter had been up, Lieutenant Owen still refused medical treatment until he was assured that all of the casualties had been evacuated. He died from his wound a short time thereafter while supervising the evacuation of the wounded friendly troops.