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This is an incomplete list of recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal, awarded for exceptional service during the Korean War. To contribute missing information, contact us.
Department of the Army
General Orders # 85 - September 25, 1951
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-16434), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a position of great responsibility as Commanding General, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, in Korea, from September 1950 to June 1951. As one of the key combat commanders, he displayed leadership, planning foresight, operational skill and tactical ability in the employment of his unit against the enemy. General Bowen's practice of tact and diplomacy promoted harmonious relations withy units and agencies of other nations comprising the United Nations Command. His scope of the conflict enabled him to instill and inspire a crusading spirit in his officers and men. Demonstrating exemplary courage and aggressiveness in personally leading his Combat Team in the amphibious landing at Inchon and the liberation of Seoul, in combat air drops at Sunchon, Sukchon, and Munsan-ni which sealed off enemy escape routes and secured guerrilla infested areas, General Bowen contributed much to the fighting renown of his unit, to the overall strategy, and to the success of the campaign waged by the EIGHTH United States Army in Korea. The notable achievements attained by General Bowen reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 35 (May 13, 1954)
Action Date: June 4, 1952 - March 31, 1954
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Robert Pearce Briscoe (NSN: 0-34560), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander Naval Forces, Far East, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 4 June 1952 to 31 March 1954. As Senior Commander of all naval forces in the Far East Command, he was charged with the great responsibility of denying the sea lanes to the enemy, escorting and protecting friendly forces on the water, clearing the sea routes of mines, bombardment of enemy coastal installations, and furnishing naval air support to the ground combat forces in Korea. His astute leadership in controlling and coordinating the diversified naval forces under his command is resounding testimony to his judgment and vast tactical experience. The absolute supremacy of the seas attained by his forces is unique in the history of combined operations. He consistently maintained his forces at peak fighting level and insured that their efforts were properly coordinated s needed with other elements of the armed services participating in the campaign in Korea. He exhibited a thorough understanding of naval strategy and tactics, effectively employed new techniques, and fully exploited the mobility and striking power of all naval forces. Admiral Briscoe's superb leadership, outstanding professional ability, sound judgment, and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Department of the Air Force
General Orders No. 66 (1955)
Action Date: November 30, 1950 - September 6, 1953
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Brown (AFSN: FR-9625A/0-740139), United States Air Force, for exceptionally outstanding and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility from 30 November 1950 to 6 September 1953, while a Prisoner of War in North Korea. In full knowledge of the great personal risk involved as Senior United Nations officer at the Pingchong-Ni Prisoner of War Camp, Colonel Brown, in the latter part of 1951, despite anticipated punishment by torture, starvation, deprivation and probable execution, organized and directed a secret resistance movement of all prisoners in opposition to the indoctrination program of the Chinese Communist Forces. Colonel Brown's objective was attained when the enforced study program of the enemy eventually collapsed due to the organized resistance inspired by this movement. In late December 1951, Colonel Brown, immediately recognizing the need for positive leadership to defeat the enemy's psychological design, personally countermanded the orders issued by the Chinese Camp Commander that all United Nations prisoners of war would join in sending New Year's Day greetings to the Commander of the Chinese Communist Forces in Korea. The outstanding leadership, exceptional fortitude and selfless devotion to duty consistently displayed by Colonel Brown during his thirty-three months of captivity, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 42 - April 23 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Henry Irving Hodes (ASN: 0-12845), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commanding General, Eighth Army, in Korea, from 14 January 1951 to 4 February 1952.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 28 - March 13, 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General William Morris Hoge (ASN: 0-4437), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, IX Corps, in Korea, from 5 March 1951 to 23 December 1951.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 40 - June 4, 1951
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Frank E. Lowe, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility while serving as the Personal Representative of the President of the United States, attached to the Far East Command, with the mission of observing and reporting on military operations in Korea, from August 1950 to April 1951.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 39 - 1950
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (ASN: 0-57), United States Army, for distinguished service to the peoples of the United States and the Republic of Korea, and to the peoples of all free nations. Having been designated as the first field commander of United Nations armed forces, and directed, in the common interest, to repel an armed attack upon the Republic of Korea and to restore international peace and security in the area, he has given these forces conspicuously brilliant and courageous leadership and discerning judgment of the highest order. Having been compelled to commit his troops to combat under extremely adverse conditions and against heavy odds in order to gain the time so imperatively needed for the build-up of his forces for the counter-offensive, he has so inspired his command by his vision, his judgment, his indomitable will and his unshakeable faith, that is has set a shining example of gallantry and tenacity in defense and of audacity in attack matched by but few operations in military history. His conduct has been in accord with the highest traditions of the military service of the United States, and is deserving of the enduring gratitude of the freedom-loving peoples of the world.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army
General Orders No. 614 - August 04, 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 Sergeant First Class Paul A. Wall (ASN: ER-55004319), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with a platoon of Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Wall distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chapyang-ni, Korea, on 2 June 1951. On that date, Company C, while holding Hill 451, was attacked by overwhelming numbers of the enemy and forced to withdraw. Sergeant Wall's unit was assigned the mission of assaulting the objective and recapturing the lost positions. As platoon sergeant of the lead platoon, Sergeant Wall led his men forward and immediately deployed them in advantageous positions along a ridge overlooking the enemy. Suddenly, a concealed machine gun opened fire and threatened to annihilate the friendly troops. With total disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Wall, rushed the enemy emplacement, silencing it with grenades and rifle fire, and continued his single-handed assault until he fell, mortally wounded.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Samuel Tankersley Williams (ASN: 0-8472), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, 25th Infantry Division, Deputy Commanding General, II Republic of Korea Corps; Commanding General, XVI Corps (Group); and Deputy Army Commander, Eighth Army, in Korea and Japan, from 18 July 1952 to 10 November 1954. General Williams maintained operational control over the Turkish Brigade, skillfully integrated thousands of Korean combat and service personnel and Puerto Rican increments into the Division and, through the media of training programs under realistic field conditions, exploitation of sound tactical concepts and expert guidance, attained excellent teamwork which was reflected in combat effectiveness and high morale of officers and men. He advocated and developed specific type instruction schools to insure qualified noncommissioned officer and specialist replacements for personnel released through rotation and normal separation criteria, and sponsored the publication of a division newspaper which enhanced esprit de corps and amity among the troops. Under his guidance roads were improved and augmented to facilitate flexibility of movement during tactical maneuvers, defensive positions were fortified to thwart long-scale offensives in the division's sector, and aggressive patrolling actions and supporting fires were expertly coordinated, enabling maximum destruction of enemy personnel and equipment. General Williams' eminent achievements and exemplary at ions contributed significantly to the operational success and fighting renown of the "Lightning" Division. During the spring offensive of 1953, he was assigned Deputy Commanding General, II Republic of Korea Corps, to defend a sector of vital strategic significance and, through tactical skill and forceful leadership, contained intensive hostile assaults and circumvented a breakthrough on the Eighth Army main line of resistance. Designated Commanding General, XVI Corps, and later IX Corps (Group), in the post hostilities period, his resolute surveillance to search out and correct weaknesses of deficiencies were manifested in high standards of efficiency and combat readiness. As Deputy Army Commander, he contributed greatly to the planning and conduct of training in the Republic of Korea Army. General Williams' notable achievements reflect utmost credit upon himself and the military service.