In God We Trust
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Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 28 - 21 August 1961
Private First Class Willie Watts, United States Army, a member of Company "C", 2d Medium Tank Battalion (Patton), 40th Armor, distinguished himself by heroism near the village of Changja-Dng, Korea, on 28 January 1961. While participating in the annual Army Training Test, Private Watts was informed that the tank to which he was assigned as loader was on fire. After standard fire fighting procedures were carried out, the flames abated momentarily, and the crew dismounted to determine the extent of the damage. Suddenly the fire reflashed and the tank engine began blazing fiercely. Realizing that the immediate danger of an explosion of the fully armed and combat-loaded tank threatened the lives and safety of Infantry troops in the area, Private Watts quickly opened the grill doors, and, using fire extinguishers brought to him by crew members of other tanks, directed a steady stream of carbon dioxide at the source of the fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he refused to leave the tank, despite the fact that the intense heat had melted the soles of his boots. Private Watts persisted in his efforts, and his unswerving determination and courageous actions permitted sufficient time to organize and direct the fire fighting team which brought the blaze under control. The brave and heroic manner in which Private Watts risked his life in this dangerous emergency is in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 23 - 20 May 1963
Private First Class Russell L. Westerfeld, United States Army, a member of the 226th Signal Company, 4th United States Army Missile Command (Air Transportable), distinguished himself by heroism on 16 December 1962, in the vicinity of the Soyang River, City of Chun Chon, Korea. Private Westerfeld observed two young Korean ice skaters fall through the ice into the swiftly flowing deep water of the Soyang River. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he unhesitatingly entered the icy river in an effort to rescue the panic-stricken youths. Upon reaching the edge of the ice, he managed to grasp one of the frightened boys, and with the aid of a pole extended to him by a companion, pulled the boy through the water to the bank of the river. Private Westefeld's prompt and courageous action in this emergency is in the highest tradition of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 10 - 21 March 1956
Specialist Third Class Bernard W.P. White, United States Army, a member of Detachment A, 4th Military Intelligence Company, distinguished himself by heroism near Kimpo Air Base, Korea, on 6 August 1955. Upon approaching a bridge spanning the Han River, Specialist White learned that a heavy truck containing approximately 20 servicemen had crashed through the railing and plunged 40 feet to the river bank. He rushed to the scene of the accident and assisted in an attempt to right the truck and release the trapped men. At this juncture the gasoline tank exploded, knocking Specialist White about 20 feet. Despite his own burns and intense heat he returned to the flaming vehicle to aid a soldier whose clothing was afire, got him to the river to extinguish the flames, and administered first aid. Only after all possible assistance had been given the injured soldiers did he accept treatment for the painful burns he had incurred. Specialist White's display of heroism reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 61 - 17 October 1955
Master Sergeant Murphy Williams, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroism in Pusan Harbor Korea, on 19 April 1955. While serving as Fire Chief, Station 1, 8075th Engineer Firefighting Company, Sergeant Williams and his company responded within minutes after a report of fire aboard the SS Audrey II, loaded with HE bombs, incendiary clusters and heat sensitive explosives, berthed in Pusan Harbor. Firefighting operations were hampered by intense clouds of billowing smoke. Fully aware of the danger involved, Sergeant Williams entered the smoke-logged, ammunition-laden hatch to ascertain the location and extent of the blaze. He immediately saw an ignited parachute flare wedged between the hull and the dunnage, out of reach of the fire hose and imminently threatening to detonate the lethal cargo. Quickly seizing the burning flare with his bare hands, he carried it to the center of the hold where the water hose could extinguish it. Sergeant Williams' quick thinking and intrepid actions averted a major catastrophe with potential loss of lives and property, reflecting utmost credit on himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service.