In God We Trust
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Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 7 - 29 January 1969
Private First class Jerald F. Kearney, RA12965437, United States Army, while a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Security Agency Group, Korea, distinguished himself by heroic achievement on 6 August 1968 at approximately 0900 hours. Private Kearney was a passenger on a ferry crossing the treacherous Kum-Gang River, at Kunsan, Korea. Upon nearing the southern dock of the ferry crossing, Private Kearney, along with several other passengers, observed a young Korean boy being swept downstream by the extremely swift current and outgoing tide of the Kum-Gang River. The boy was approximately 50 yards from the Kunsan shore and was struggling to keep above water by flailing his arms in the air. However, he continued to sink below the surface of the water four or five times. Private Kearney immediately, and without regard to his own life and safety, removed his shoes and dove off the ferry and into the river. He swam approximately 20 yards to the boy who was unconscious by this time, began to tow him to shore against the adverse current, and finally reached the shore. Although obviously fatigued from the rescue, Private Kearney, without hesitation, began to administer artificial respiration to the boy. His efforts were successful, and the young boy revived after about four minutes. Private Kearney's completely voluntary act, alert action and complete disregard for his own personal safety without question saved the young Korean boy's life. His exemplary actions in risking his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 39 - 31 July 1957
Sergeant First Class Robert L. Kepner, Ordnance Corps, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism on 2 August 1956 at Pusan, Korea. When Sergeant Kepner received word that a group of people were in distress on a point of land at Heunde Beach, Pusan, Korea, he promptly proceeded to the scene with his commanding officer and other personnel from his unit. He found that a huge wave in the wake of a typhoon had washed several persons into the sea and they were being drowned by the raging surf. Sergeant Kepner, with the help of several enlisted men, attempted to throw a rope to one of the drowning victims. This required him to climb down a jutting cliff where high waves were breaking ferociously against the rocks, placing him in great danger of being swept into the sea. Risking his own life, he exhibited every possible effort to complete the rescue. Sergeant Kepner's heroic actions in the emergency reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.