In God We Trust
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Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 85 - 25 September 1951
Sergeant First Class Guillermo B. Garza (then corporal), Armor, United States Army, a member of Company C, 44th Tank Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, distinguished himself by heroism on 30 September 1950 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Hearing a loud crash and an explosion, Sergeant Garza saw that a medium tank had been accidentally driven over a gasoline pump in the tank park, igniting the escaping gasoline which had then enveloped the vehicle in flames. The driver became frightened and jumped from the tank. Whereupon Sergeant Garza ran toward the blazing vehicle and pump, jumped aboard the unmanned, moving tank, gained the driver's hatch, and took control as it crushed and ignited a second pump and headed toward a line of trucks in an adjacent motor pool. He then drove the burning tank out of and away from the fire to a place of safety. The prompt, courageous and determined action taken by Sergeant Garza in the face of grave danger reflects distinct credit on himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces
General Orders No. 48 - January 27, 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 Master Sergeant Everett A. Gattis, United States Air Force, for heroism involving risk of life as a Line Chief, 30th Bombardment Squadron, on 27 September 1952. On that date, Sergeant Gattis rescued a crash crew fireman from burning gasoline surrounding a crashed and burning aircraft. During an emergency landing, a B-29 went out of control, immediately bursting into flames. Three crash crew firemen were trapped by burning gasoline as they were attempting to extinguish the burning aircraft. Sergeant Gattis, immediately realizing the seriousness of the fireman's plight, and without regard for his personal safety, plunged into the flames, successfully carrying one of the firemen to an area of safety where he extinguished the fireman's blazing clothing with wet grass. Sergeant Gattis' presence of mind and heroic action undoubtedly saved the fireman from critical injury and possible death. Through his high personal courage and exemplary devotion to duty, Sergeant Gattis reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 37 - April 29, 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 Private First Class Ernest Goldsmith, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Battery B, 26th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, (Self Propelled), 24th Infantry Division, in Japan on 21 July 1952. He was a member of a detail filling sandbags in the hot sun at Fukanuma Beach and the men were authorized to swim. The water became extremely rough and dangerous and exceedingly dangers with strong under-currents and the swimmers were directed to return to shore. He courageously assisted one of his comrades safely to shore when he heard calls for help coming from another comrade who was in distress. With complete disregard for his safety, Private Goldsmith returned to the dangerous water in an attempt to rescue the second man. In the ensuing attempt, he became so exhausted from battling the surf and struggling with his comrade that he was forced to return for help. While nearing the shore, he became too weak to swim, but the waves forced him close in where he could be assisted to safety. Private Goldsmith's prompt and courageous actions in the face of grave danger reflect great credit on himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces
General Orders No. 41 - 22 January 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 Captain Anthony A. Gomes, United States Air Force, for heroism involving the voluntary risk of his life while attached to the 93d Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group, (Medium), FIFTH Air Force. On 15 November 1950, Captain Gomes witnessed an aircraft accident on the runway at Kadena Air Base. When he arrived at the scene, he found the flight engineer of the bomber, semi-conscious, approximately 15 feet from the burning aircraft, unable to move. he injured man was in great danger from the excessive heat, the detonation of incendiary-type bombs and 50 caliber ammunition. Disregarding his own safety, Captain Gomes quickly assisted in the rescue of the endangered crew member. He was removed to a safe area where medical aid was administered. Captain Gomes' courage, quick-thinking and devotion to duty contributed to the saving of a life and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division
General Orders No. 200 - June 19, 1951
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 [then Corporal] Leslie O. Goodwin, Jr. (ASN: ER-34242698), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of Company A, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 9 May 1951, at Changnam-ni, Korea. Sergeant Goodwin was laying mines when he was notified that a Korean soldier had entered a nearby minefield and detonated a mine, wounding himself and killing one officer who attempted to go to the aid of the wounded man. Without regard for his personal safety, Sergeant Goodwin voluntarily entered the mined area to rescue the soldier. Then Sergeant Goodwin noticed the wounded man lay on a trip wire that if set off would have injured nearby working parties. Despite this hazardous position, Sergeant Goodwin deactivated one mine and crawled along the trip wire and deactivated the second mine, both in the path of approach. He then crawled to the mine attached to the trip wire, deactivated the mine and thereby enabled rescue parties to enter the area. The heroism displayed by Sergeant Goodwin reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces
General Orders No. 234 - May 17, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Gordon F. Goyt, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life, as Operations Officer, 98th Bombardment Wing (M), on 18 November 1951. Lieutenant Colonel Goyt was notified that a B-29, was unable to take-off, and was in serious trouble at the end of the runway. He found the wrecked aircraft to be on fire, with fused and timed bombs scattered around it. After the first explosion Lieutenant Colonel Goyt, seeing an injured man lying close to the aircraft, rushed into the danger area, and successfully brought him to safety. In his attempt to effect further rescues, Lieutenant Colonel Goyt completely disregarded the extreme danger from burning gasoline and detonation of high explosives scattered in the burning wreckage. The courage and heroism displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Goyt were in the highest tradition of the military service and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 53 - July 9, 1954
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier's Medal (Posthumously) to Sergeant Cecil R. Graham (ASN: RA-25946103), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company E. Infantry School Detachment, during a weapons demonstration at the infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, on 4 March 1954. He was performing duty as a 4-man grenade demonstration team. During the demonstration, an M26 hand grenade accidentally became armed. Sergeant Graham endeavored to pick up the armed grenade and throw it into a safe area, but was unsuccessful. Realizing that he did not have time to make another attempt, Sergeant Graham without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, threw himself forward and covered the grenade with his body. The resulting explosion killed him instantly and wounded another man slightly. Sergeant Graham's prompt and courageous action undoubtedly saved the other 8 members of the team from death or serious injury. His heroic act reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division
General Orders No. 109 - 26 August 1950
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 Private James W. Gray (ASN: RA-16265132), United States Army, for heroism as a member of Company B, 3d Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, on 10 July 1950 at Chochiwon, Korea. On 10 July 1950 in the vicinity of Chochiwon, Korea, a truck convoy from Company B, 3d Engineer Combat Battalion, of which Private Gray was a member, was strafed by a plane. A truck loaded with dynamite, TNT and anti-tank mines was hit and set afire. The driver of the truck was killed and another soldier wounded. Without hesitation and regard for personal safety, Private Gray entered the burning truck and pulled the wounded man to safety. He then, with the aid of another soldier put out the fire. By these actions he doubtless saved the lives of several soldiers from exploding demolitions. The heroism and selfless action displayed by Private Gray on this occasion reflect great credit on himself and the military service.
Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division
General Orders No. 206 - 27 September 1950
Corporal John C. Gunn, RA15268737, Artillery, Battery A, 64th Field Artillery Battalion, United States Army. At about 2300 hours, 21 August 1950 near Haman, Korea, a truckload of ammunition was brought up to a howitzer which was firing at enemy concentrations. Just as it reached the position, the motor of the truck caught fire and the driver left the cab. Although warned to leave, Corporal Gunn joined his sergeant in shoveling dirt on the motor until the fire was extinguished. By his courageous action he saved not only critical ammunition and an artillery piece but also the lives of the gun crew. Corporal Gunn's courage, initiative and devotion to his men reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army. Entered the military service from Ohio.
Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division
General Orders No. 60 - January 27k, 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 Junior M. Gurley (ASN: RA-45051772), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 24th Reconnaissance Company, 24th Infantry Division, near Simpung-ni, Korea, on 26 November 1951. Sergeant Gurley was in the right front seat of a jeep which was pulling a trailer load of men up an icy, snow-covered road to a forward position. On a steep incline, the vehicle stalled and the driver was unable to brake it. The jeep jackknifed and started sliding backward, the force throwing a soldier under one of the wheels and momentarily paralyzing him. Displaying excellent presence of mind, Sergeant Gurley braced himself in the moving jeep and stuck his right leg out to contact the man's supine form. Using his leg as a wedge, he dragged the man's body along the icy road, preventing him from being crushed by the wheel. Although the painful effort taxed his endurance to the utmost and he was in constant danger of being dashed to the ground himself, he continued to hold the soldier inches away from serious injury until the rapidly sliding jeep caught in a rut and stopped on the edge of a precipice. Sergeant Gurley's heroism, exceptionally quick thinking and selfless devotion to his comrades reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Army.