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, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 49 - 18 September 1957
Private Harold L. Cain, Infantry, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism on the night of 22 February 1957 in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea, when the C-124 aircraft on which he was a passenger developed engine trouble shortly after takeoff and crash-landed on a sandbar in the Han River, bursting into flames on impact. Private Cain ignored the fiercely burning airplane and constant threat from explosion, and with complete disregard for his own life, voluntarily returned to the airplane to seek and aid injured survivors. He made repeated trips at the risk of his life in attempting to drag the injured men from the plane. His heroic efforts were hampered by darkness and danger from drowning in the fast flowing and freezing tide waters. Despite the icy water, he led several men suffering from shock away from the crash area and later helped load casualties onto rescue helicopters. Private Cain continued his heroic efforts until all of the injured had been evacuated and removed to safety. When he finally consented to his own evacuation the raging river had risen above his knees and threatened to sweep him into the icy waters. His prompt and courageous action reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 10 - 21 March 1956
Major Jerry G. Capka, Corps of Engineers, United States Army, a member of Headquarters 2d Engineer Group (Construction), distinguished himself by heroism near Kimpo Air Base, Korea, on 6 August 1955. When a 2 1/2-ton truck transporting 20 enlisted men fell from a bridge, trapping all occupants inside the vehicle, Major Capka radioed a request for ambulances and fire-fighting equipment and quickly organized rescue operations. While attempting to lift the truck with the help of a group of enlisted men and Korean civilians, the gasoline tank exploded and enveloped the vehicle in flames. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Capka forced an entry into the burning vehicle and effected the rescue of several victims. Major Capka's courageous actions reflect utmost credit on himself and are in keeping with the traditions of the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 40 - 9 December 1965
Staff Sergeant Roy D. Carmack, United States Army, as a member of Company C, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 17th Infantry, distinguished himself by heroism on 12 April 1965, in Korea. Sergeant Carmack was on the scene during a mechanical repair of an Armored Personnel Carrier when the vehicle, loaded with ammunition, burst into flames. After two mechanics were forced from the carrier when the fixed fire extinguisher failed to put out the blaze and an explosion was imminent, Sergeant Carmack displayed complete disregard for his own safety in an effort to extinguish the fire. He grabbed a portable fire extinguisher and, although attired only in field clothing, entered the burning carrier and succeeded in extinguishing the flames. His courage and prompt actions prevented possible injury to personnel on the scene and damage to Government property. Sergeant Carmack's heroic conduct in this emergency situation is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 50 - 26 September 1968
Second Lieutenant John T. Carter, 054341875, Infantry, United States Army, a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry (Mechanized), who, through a heroic effort that endangered his own life, was largely responsible for saving the life of a member of a scout platoon on 29 March 1968. The victim, having become stuck in the quick-sand like mud near the Imjin River, was soon engulfed in the rapidly rising tide of the river. When it became apparent that the man could not be pulled free by ordinary means, Lieutenant Carter, realizing he could himself become trapped in the mud, entered the water to the point where the man was rapidly sinking. Lieutenant Carter remained with him for one and one-half hours, at times disappearing from sight in the rising tide. Due largely to his efforts, he and the victim were eventually pulled from the deadly trap by a rescue helicopter. Lieutenant Carter's heroic effort served as an inspiration to more than a score of rescuers on the scene and brought great credit to himself and the military service. (This award supersedes the Army Commendation Medal awarded to Lieutenant Carter as announced in General Orders Number 89, Headquarters, Eighth United States Army, APO San Francisco 96301, dated 7 June 1968.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 2 - 5 February 1965
Specialist Four Joseph T. Chandler, United States Army, as a member of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, distinguished himself by heroism in Korea on 2 April 1964. While participating in operations near the Demilitarized Zone of Korea, Specialist Chandler displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety by unhesitatingly volunteering to traverse an active mine field to rescue a soldier who was seriously wounded by a mine explosion. After an extremely hazardous effort of probing a lane through 30 feet of the minefield, he succeeded in reaching the injured man. Although the soldier was apprehensive about the return trip, Specialist Chandler encouraged the injured man while carrying him on his back through another 30 feet of the uncleared minefield to a position where medical personnel evacuated the wounded man. Specialist Chandler's heroic action and deep concern for a fellow soldier are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army. (This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal for heroism on 2 April 1964, as announced in General Orders Number 92, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, APO 24, dated 10 July 1964.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 42 - 7 November 1960
Sergeant Willie G. Christian, United States Army, a member of Battery "B", 1st Howitzer Battalion (8"), 17th Artillery, distinguished himself by heroism in the vicinity of the village of Sarang-Ni near the Han Tan Chon River in Korea, on 24 May 1960. While undergoing unit practice for the annual battery test, Christian was informed that a field mine had accidentally exploded and seriously injured three Republic of Korea civilians. When a request was made for assistance in behalf of the victims, Sergeant Christian immediately volunteered his services. With full knowledge that the area at the scene of the explosion contained armed mines, and despite the existing possibility of a mine detonating in the field at any time, he assisted in the evacuation of the injured Korean nationals, and aided Republic of Korea Army soldiers in controlling civilians in the vicinity. The complete disregard which Sergeant Christian displayed for his own personal safety, and the unselfish and courageous actions which he manifested by risking his life in this dangerous emergency are in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 49 - 18 September 1957
Private First Class Warren J. Clarke, Infantry, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism on the night of 22 February 1957, in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea, when the C-124 aircraft on which he was a passenger developed engine trouble shortly after takeoff and crash-landed on a sandbar in the Han River, bursting into flames on impact. Although the plane was burning fiercely, in spite of the constant threat of an explosion, and with complete disregard for his own life, Private Clarke voluntarily returned to the aircraft and dragged one injured man from the flaming plane. He then made repeated attempts to approach the aircraft to remove more of the injured. Private Clarke's actions were with utter disregard for his own personal safety in that the threat of explosion was imminent and the rapidly rising tide threatened to sweep him into the freezing water. Debris scattered about the crash site and jagged edges on the aircraft seriously hampered removal of the injured and the numerous helicopters hovering overhead created additional hazards which threatened loss of life or grave personal injury. Private Clarke's prompt and courageous action with disregard for his own life reflects great credit on himself and the United States Army.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 49 - 18 September 1957
First Lieutenant Forest L. Clough, Jr., Artillery, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea, on the night of 22 February 1957. Lieutenant Clough was one of a group of helicopter pilots assigned to the mission of rescuing survivors of a C-124 aircraft which had crash-landed on a sandbar in the Han River Estuary. In a desperate race against the rapidly rising tide and the danger to the survivors from continued exposure to the winter elements, he made several flights to the crash site under extremely hazardous conditions to evacuate survivors who were huddled on the sandbar or on ice floes in the river. With practically no illumination, he landed his helicopter in as much as 30 inches of water. Despite darkness, density of aircraft in the air, inadequate landing areas at the crash site, and with full awareness that an aircraft failure or misjudgment could result in his death or serious injury, Lieutenant Clough resolutely and unhesitatingly performed his duty, thereby contributing immeasurably to the completely successful rescue mission. His unhesitating and courageous action in the face of grave danger, with complete disregard for his own safety, reflects great credit on himself, his unit, and the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 18 - 18 April 1967
Warrant Officer William T. Cochran, W3152942, United States Army, distinguished himself by an act of heroism on 26 July 1966 while assigned as co-pilot on a UH-18 helicopter participating in flood rescue operations in the Han River Valley in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea. Warrant Officer Cochran left the helicopter to assist a Korean National policeman with a rowboat, to attempt the rescue of a family of five stranded in the second story of their home. Due to type construction, raging water and trees, it was impossible to make the rescue with the helicopter. The rowboat had been flown to the vicinity, offloaded to a building and subsequently towed by helicopter to the upstream side of the house. Warrant Officer Cochran and the policeman then rowed the boat through the trees to the house. To evacuate the family, it was planned to make two trips so as not to overload the twelve foot rowboat. Just as the boat was beginning to be towed away from the house with four persons aboard, the mother with a baby on her back and the policeman jumped in too. One of the boys stood up and tried to reach the house causing the boat to overturn, spilling all occupants into the fast moving current of the Han River. Sensing that he was the only person who could swim, Warrant Officer Cochran, dressed in flight suit and combat boots and with utter disregard for his own safety, made three successful rescue attempts, saving two boys and the adult male. Warrant Officer Cochran's personal courage and complete disregard for his own safety are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 43 - 27 September 1963
Specialist Five Garland R. Crawford, United States Army, while a member of Company A, 8th Engineer Battalion (Construction), 1st Cavalry Division, Eighth United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism on 6 March 1963, in Korea. Specialist Crawford unhesitatingly volunteered to traverse a mine field to rescue a soldier who was seriously wounded by a mine explosion. During more than one hour of extremely hazardous efforts in clearing a lane to the injured soldier, Specialist Crawford and his comrades located and disarmed numerous mines. When he and the other members of the rescue party had advanced to within approximately twenty meters of the injured soldier, a helicopter lowered a sling in an attempt to airlift him from the dangerous area. Observing that the soldier was too weak to tie himself securely to the sling and was in danger of falling or rolling onto other mines, Specialist Crawford, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, rushed through the remaining distance of the un-cleared mine field, and assisted him into the sling. Specialist Crawford's heroic action, devotion to duty, and deep concern for a fellow soldier are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army. (This award supersedes the award of the Army Commendation Medal to Specialist Crawford for heroism on 6 March 1963, in Korea, as announced in General Orders Number 84, Headquarters, Eighth United States Army, dated 15 May 1963.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 58 - 27 November 1957
Sergeant Forrest E. Crisman, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism on the night of 22 February 1957, in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea, when the C-124 aircraft on which he was a passenger developed engine trouble and crash-landed on a sandbar in the Han River, bursting into flames on impact. Despite extreme physical and emotional stress, forbidding terrain conditions and darkness, Sergeant Crisman immediately organized the survivors for their safety and assumed command of passenger accounting operations. Upon learning that there was an Air Force Sergeant severely wounded in or near the plane, Sergeant Crisman immediately organized a rescue team to return to the site of the plane. Despite great personal danger, Sergeant Crisman waded through waist-deep icy water back to the burning plane, aware that there were several full tanks of gasoline inside which had not yet exploded. In the face of these hazards, Sergeant Crisman and the men who went with him appeared to give no thought to their personal safety or their lives and reentered the plane. The wounded man was located near the flaming inside engine, and was carried back through the rapidly rising icy water by the rescue detail. Upon his return, Sergeant Crisman continued to assist the wounded and give moral support to others. Sergeant Crisman's prompt, vital, and courageous action in the face of extreme danger reflects great credit on himself and the military service.