In God We Trust
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Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 14 - 19 April 1956
Captain George D. Reasonover, Corps of Engineers, United States Army, while a member of Company C, 3d Engineers Battalion, distinguished himself by heroism in Korea, on 25 June 1955. During the torrential summer rains, a pontoon bridge was ripped from its moorings, swirled adrift and lodged against the abutments of Libby Bridge, a vital communications link spanning the swollen Imjin River in flood stage. Trees, timber, and other debris were collecting rapidly, and the tremendous pressure and vibration posed an imminent threat to the structural integrity of the piers. After reconnoitering the situation and procuring explosives, Captain Reasonover voluntarily elected to be lowered to the twisting, lurching bridge in an effort to blast it free. Despite the hazards of the elements, slippery footing, and the swift current canting the floating bridge to a 40 degree angle during the operation, Captain Reasonover worked for more than an hour placing and resetting the charges to where they could be primed for detonation. As a result of his prompt, courageous actions the pontoon bridge was blown free and drifted downstream where it was reclaimed, and Libby Bridge escaped without damage. Captain Reasonover's exemplary conduct reflects utmost credit on himself and upholds the traditions of the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 49 - 18 September 1957
Captain James W. Rhinehart, Transportation Corps, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea, on the night of 22 February 1957. Captain Rhinehart was one of a group of helicopter pilots assigned the mission of rescuing survivors of a C-124 aircraft which crash-landed in the Han River Estuary. In a desperate race against the rapidly rising tide waters and a mounting danger to the survivors from continued exposure to the winter elements he made approximately five flights to the crash site under extremely hazardous conditions to evacuate survivors who were huddled on the sandbar on ice floes in the river. With practically no illumination he landed his helicopter in as much as 30 inches of freezing water, and on one occasion hovered sideward alongside an ice floe to pick up two survivors. Despite the darkness, density of aircraft in the air, inadequate landing areas at the crash site, and with a full awareness that an aircraft failure or misjudgment could result in his death or serious injury, Captain Rhinehart 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, coupled 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. 61 - 17 October 1955
Corporal Ivory Rhodes, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism in the vicinity of Pusan, Korea, on 8 April 1955. On that day, a gasoline tractor-trailer with a defective float on the pump pipes was brought into the motor pool for repairs. While repairing the defective mechanism, the driver of the vehicle was overcome by gasoline fumes and lost consciousness in the tank. The assistant driver who had entered the tank to rescue the unconscious man had also been overcome by the fumes. Although he realized the risk of his own life, Corporal Rhodes entered the fume-filled gasoline tank through the narrow opening at the top in an attempt to rescue his two comrades. Through resolute effort, Corporal Rhodes succeeded in rescuing the assistant driver and was himself nearly overcome by fumes. The intrepid actions of Corporal Rhodes Resulted in the saving of his comrade's life, reflecting great credit on himself and upholding the highest traditions of the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 42 - 7 November 1960
Private First Class Bobby O. Riggs, 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, Private Riggs was informed that a field mine had accidentally exploded and seriously injured three Republic of Korea civilians. When a request for assistance was made in behalf of the victims, Private Riggs 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 Private Riggs 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.
Awarded the Soldier's Medal for Heroism while a member of the 377th Medical Company. Died July 12, 1977 in Korea.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 19 - 28 May 1965
Specialist Four William J. Rohr, Army Medical Service (then Private First class), United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism while serving as a member of Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, on 2 April 1964, near the Demilitarized Zone, Korea. When notified that a soldier had been injured by a mine, Specialist Rohr unhesitatingly proceeded to the minefield to participate in the medical evacuation of the wounded man. Upon arriving at the scene, he left his litter jeep at the fence, bravely traversed the live minefield, and reached the injured man who was located approximately fifty feet inside the mined area. With the assistance of another medical man on the scene, he helped place the injured soldier on the litter, made his way through the uncleared minefield, and succeeded in carrying the wounded man to the litter jeep for transportation to the dispensary. Specialist Rohr's deep concern for a fellow soldier and heroic actions under these hazardous circumstances 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 Specialist Rohr for heroism on 2 April 1964 as announced in General Orders No. 101, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, dated 30 July 1964.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 56 - 28 October 1957
Private First Class Ronald A. Rout, Army Medical Service, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism following the crash-landing of a C-124 aircraft on a sandbar in the Han River Estuary on 22 February 1957. After the crash-landing he assembled injured personnel, collected dry clothing and treated the survivors for shock and exposure to the icy water. The immediate and effective assistance rendered by Private Rout prior to the arrival of qualified medical personnel prevented serious injury to many of the survivors. His unselfish and heroic actions were accomplished with compete disregard for his own safety or comfort and were rendered exceedingly difficult because of freezing cold, darkness and danger of being swept into the current by the steadily rising and fast flowing tide waters. Debris scattered about the crash site and jagged edges on the plane created an additional hazard to his personal safety. Private Rout's exemplary action during this hazardous incident is indicative of a high degree of leadership ability and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.