In God We Trust
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Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 9 - 8 March 1966
Major Jose A. Esteras-Fortuno, Infantry, United States Army, while serving as a member of Headquarters 1st Brigade, 2d Infantry Division, distinguished himself by heroism in Korea on 15 July 1965. While participating in emergency and relief operations during a flood which devastated the village of Nullo-Ri, South Korea, Major Esteras-Fortuno was informed that a young woman had been swept into a culvert and carried toward a river by the rushing water. He ran to the scene and quickly saw her in the river. Then, with complete disregard for his own safety, he jumped into the swift, hazardous, and debris-filled river, swam to the victim, and pulled her to the water's edge. Although near complete exhaustion and requiring assistance of others to pull himself and the young woman from the raging waters, he immediately picked her up and carried her to the nearest medical clinic where she was revived by a local doctor. Major Esteras-Fortuno's deep concern for the welfare of others, and prompt and heroic conduct in this dangerous situation are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. (This award supersedes the award of the Army Commendation Medal to Major Esteras-Fortuno for heroism on 15 July 1965 as announced in General Orders Number 68, Headquarters 2d Infantry Division, dated 27 October 1965.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 6 - 4 February 1957
Private Howard L. Esworthy, Military Police Corps, United States Army, a member of the Military Police Security Detachment (8225), distinguished himself by heroism in the vicinity of Heunde, Korea, on 2 August 1956. During the decline of a typhoon and while on normal police duty, Private Esworthy was notified that an officer and two nurses had been swept off the rocky shore into the ocean. Quickly securing an air mattress and a coil of rope, he rushed to the scene of the accident. Fully aware of the hazards involved, he climbed down a steep incline and onto a high rock in an attempt to effect a rescue. When one of the women was within approximately 20 feet, Private Esworthy threw the rope to her, but, because of the turbulence of the water, was unable to make contact. At this junction, his position was engulfed by huge waves and he was carried out to sea by the swift tidal current, and drowned. Although unsuccessful in his heroic attempt to save the lives of the three people, Private Esworthy's consummate gallantry and supreme sacrifice has set an inspiring example of valor to all who observed him, reflecting utmost credit on himself and upholding the noble traditions of the military service.