In God We Trust
Browse: Intro | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Headquarters, 2nd Infantry Division
General Orders No. 360 - 3 September 1953
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Captain (Infantry) James C. Alexander (ASN: 0-1297556), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with the Heavy Mortar Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 18 June 1953, in the vicinity of Palmal, North Korea. Early on the morning of that date, a fire broke out in the Company Command Post as a result of an illuminating flare. Captain Alexander, the Commanding Officer, with complete disregard for personal safety, rushed from his quarters into the burning tent and roused the sleeping occupants. After seeing that all personnel had been safely evacuated, he reentered the blazing tent with a shovel and sand attempted to extinguish the flames. Noticing a smoldering box containing thermite grenades and being fully cognizant of the dangers involved, he picked up the box, dashed out of the tent and placed it in a barrel of water. The prompt, courageous and determined action taken by Captain Alexander saved at least three men from possible serious injury. The heroic actions displayed by Captain Alexander reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
Headquarters, 2nd Infantry Division
General Orders No. 361 - 8 October 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Sergeant First Class Gerald Y. Allen (ASN: RA-19278575), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of Service Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action near Kumgong-ni, Korea on 30 August 1952. On that date, a group of men on a road march had wandered into a mine field and sustained heavy casualties. Sergeant Allen, upon hearing of this, immediately joined a rescue party. Shortly after they had arrived on the scene, a second mine was exploded, which killed or injured several more men. Sergeant Allen, although painfully injured in the blast, continued with his merciful duties. He refused treatment for his own wounds until all others were cared for. After carrying down one litter, he returned to the area and stayed there until all were out of danger. His aggressive spirit, devotion to duty, and willingness to endanger himself to provide for others reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 43 - June 24, 1955
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Vincent H. Allen, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters 548th Field Artillery Battalion, at Lake Ozark, Missouri, on 28 May 1954. Lieutenant Allen, along with his wife and ten other passengers was aboard a boat after there had been heavy storms in the area on the date of the accident. The boat was about 10 minutes out from the dock when a storm struck with great fury causing the boat to capsize in some two or three hundred feet of water. Fully aware of the treacherous tide and the danger that the twisting boat might lurch against him, Lieutenant Allen dived under the capsized boat and broke open a compartment securing life jackets. It was necessary for him to dive under the capsized boat three or four times. He would return to the surface, distribute the life jackets to those survivors still on top of the water and once again dive under the capsized boat for additional life jackets. He further assisted in aiding some of the passengers to a position on top of the capsized boat. After rendering all possible assistance at the immediate scene he advised the survivors that he was swimming ashore to get help. Shortly thereafter the storm subsided and Lieutenant Allen and his wife were picked up a few yards from shore by a rescue boat returning to the dock after picking up other survivors at the scene of the accident. Lieutenant Allen's prompt, brave, and thoughtful action was undoubtedly a major factor in saving the lives of survivors reflecting great credit on himself and the military service.
Capt. Richard J. Harer, test pilot with the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, California, belly-landed a Lockheed F-94C-1-LO Starfire, 50-962, c/n 880-8007, on Rogers Dry Lake following engine problems on December 22, 1954. He became trapped in the cockpit as the aircraft burned. Capt. Milburn "Mel" Apt, flying chase in another fighter, landed beside the failing F-94 and succeeded in pulling Harer from the burning jet, saving his life. Harer suffered a broken back, third degree burns and compound fractures of both legs that resulted in their amputation. Apt was awarded the Soldier's Medal for saving Harer's life.