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Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 39 - 31 July 1957
Private First Class William D. La Porte, Ordnance Corps, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism on 2 August 1956 at Pusan, Korea. When PFC La Porte 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. PFC La Porte, 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. PFC La Porte's heroic actions in the emergency reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 16 - 4 April 1967
Staff Sergeant John T. Larsen, RA16644405, United States Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry, 2d Infantry Division, distinguished himself by an act of heroism at approximately 0930 hours on 29 June 1966. While Company C, 1st Battalion 23d Infantry was conducting an area sweep in the third brigade sector of the demilitarized zone in South Korea, the Commanding Officer of Company C, discovered that one platoon of his company had entered an unmarked mine field. Two members of that company had received traumatic amputations by mine explosions and were lying in the mine field. Upon discovering their location, the Company Commander attempted to reach the injured men by using an alternate route. Upon attempting to reach the injured men, the Company Commander also stepped on a mine and was severely injured. As he fell, Staff Sergeant Larsen, with total disregard for his own life and knowing that he was in danger of grievous bodily harm, rushed into the mine field and pulled the Company Commander out. Staff Sergeant Larsen's voluntary action in disregarding his own safety in order to care for a fellow soldier was in the highest tradition of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. (This award supersedes the Army Commendation Medal awarded to Sergeant Larsen for heroism on 29 June 1966, as announced in General Orders Number 109, Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, dated 25 July 1966.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 43 - 4 December 1959
Sergeant Charles H. Lembke, a member of Headquarters Battery, 7th Infantry Division Artillery, distinguished himself by heroism on 11 June 1959. Sergeant Lembke was in the process of coupling a 2 1/2-ton truck and a radar tracker when the tracker moved forward and threatened to crush a Korean soldier assisting him in this duty. Quickly realizing that the Korean soldier was frozen with fear and unable to move, Sergeant Lembke immediately jumped over the tongue of the tracker mount and, without concern for his own personal safety, pushed the dazed man free of the closing vehicles. In performing his heroic action, Sergeant Lembke was caught between the two heavy vehicles and received severe bruises and lacerations about the chest. His courageous efforts saved the Korean solider from death by preventing him from being crushed around the face and head. The unselfish concern, fearlessness, and quick presence of mind displayed by Sergeant Lembke in this sudden emergency are worthy of emulation, and reflect distinct credit on himself and the military service.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 61 - October 17, 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 Private First Class James A. Lotson, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 43d Transportation Company (Light Truck), 69th Transportation Battalion, (Truck), on 12 April 1955. At approximately 0900 hours, Private Lotson, a truck driver, observed a fire burning around the gas tank of his vehicle. At this time Private Lotson's vehicle was parked immediately beside an ammunition storage Quonset and was loaded with 500 rounds of 60-mm mortar ammunition. The ammunition storage Quonset, one of seven similar Quonsets in the immediate vicinity, contained 50 tons of ammunition. Private Lotson immediately tried to extinguish the fire with sand but to no avail. Private Lotson, without regard for his personal safety, entered his vehicle and drove it approximately 100 yards away from the area and then ran for cover. The ammunition on the vehicle then exploded completely destroying the vehicle. Private Lotson's heroic action, in addition to preventing the loss of approximately 350 tons of ammunition stored in the Quonsets very possibly saved the lives of American soldiers and Korean service personnel working in the vicinity.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 25 - 27 June 1956
Specialist Third Class Galen L. Luchau, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism near South Wolmi-do Island, Inchon Port, Korea, on 3 October 1955. As a landing craft approached the island, a sudden jarring of the boat flung a crew member into the deep, choppy water. Realizing that the darkness of the night made immediate action imperative, Specialist Luchau unhesitatingly kicked off his shoes, plunged into the water and swam to the rescue of the unconscious man. Supporting the limp crewman, he struggled to keep afloat as the swift tide threatened to sweep them out to sea. After some minutes his calls for help attracted the attention of others in the boat who tossed him a life jacket and directed the coxswain to turn back. Specialist Luchau's courageous and unselfish action reflects utmost credit on himself and upholds the esteemed traditions of the military service.