Lara, Steve C.

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 340 - 15 August 1953

Sergeant Steve C. Lara, RA38341988, Infantry, Company "E", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the night of 14 June and during the early morning hours of 15 June 1953, Company "E" had the mission of raiding enemy held Hill "412" in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. Enemy artillery and mortar fire began falling in the area, causing numerous casualties. Sergeant LARA, leader of a section attached to the support element, placed his assistant in command and rushed toward the objective under intense enemy automatic weapons fire, making three trips between the objective and friendly lines, evacuating the wounded men. Although exhausted from these actions, Sergeant LARA found a wounded comrade and evacuated him to friendly lines. Sergeant LARA'S outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the federal Service from Texas.

Lavergne, Paul

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 69 - 20 March 1951

FIRST LIEUTENANT PAUL LAVERGNE, 0928287, Infantry, Company "A", 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 29 January 1951, at about half past midnight in the vicinity of Turung, Korea, Company "A" Command Post was surrounded by an estimated two hundred enemy who attempted a surprise attack. Their design was foiled by Lieutenant Lavergne, company executive officer, who gave the alarm and immediately sprang to an exposed position to engage the enemy with automatic carbine fire. This rapid and heroic action delayed the enemy attack, permitting his comrades to deploy, take up the battle, and eventually fight their way out. Lieutenant Lavergne lost his life early in the fire fight, but his heroic actions saved the lives of his comrades. His bravery and gallantry exemplify the highest traditions of the military service. Entered the military service from Puerto Rico.

Leforte, Joseph

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 404 - 15 September 1953

Sergeant JOSEPH LEFORT, RA18386796, Infantry, Company "E", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the night of 14 June 1953, in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea, Company "E" made an attack on Hill "412". Sergeant LEFORT was a squad leader in the 1st platoon of the assault element. As they left the friendly lines, the unit came under intense enemy mortar and artillery fire. As they approached the objective, enemy machine gun fire forced the unit to take cover. Realizing that the delay would endanger the entire company, Sergeant LEFORT immediately moved forward despite intense machine gun and small arms fire, and effectively returned the fire, enabling his comrades to leave their cover and resume the assault. A short while later, he was seriously wounded, but courageously continued his advance until rendered unconscious. Sergeant LEFORT'S outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Louisiana.

Lender, Charles W.

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 14 - 29 January 1954

Second Lieutenant CHARLES W. LENDER, 01881783, Infantry, Company "K", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the night of 24 May 1953, in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, Lieutenant LENDER was the leader of an 18 man ambush patrol in position on the slope of an enemy held hill. The group was soon attacked by a reinforced enemy platoon. Lieutenant LENDER immediately deployed his men to combat the attack and bravely directed their fire. During the encounter, Lieutenant LENDER courageously advanced forward of the patrol perimeter to retrieve a radio dropped in the initial action. Ignoring the heavy enemy fire, he succeeded in reaching the radio and carried it back toward the patrol. Lieutenant LENDER was mortally wounded, however, before he could utilize the radio. His valiant actions and heroic disregard for his personal safety enabled the men to contact friendly lines and direct reinforcements to the scene of action. Lieutenant LENDER'S outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Illinois.

Leon-Gonzalez, Rafael

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS
3d INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS #460 - 26 October 1953

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to RAFAEL LEON-GONZALEZ, 0-1685766, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 28 September 1951, in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea, elements of Company I were assaulting a strategically valuable enemy held hill. Although subjected to an intense enemy artillery, mortar and small arms barrage, Lieutenant LEON-GONZALEZ courageously guided his platoon up the slope, rapidly firing his automatic weapon. Moving to within 20 yards of the well-entrenched defenders, he aggressively led his group into the forward positions and bunkers, constantly giving clear instructions to the men. He then directed a final drive over the crest of the hill, forcing the enemy from the objective. Lieutenant LEON-GONZALEZ' outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Lerner, Robert A.

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 494 - 20 November 1953

Private First Class Robert A. Lerner, RA12420690, Infantry, Company "B", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the early morning hours of 9 July 1953, in the vicinity of Chung-Mok Sil, Korea, Private LERNER was in charge of a listening post 750 yards forward of the main line of resistance when the position was attacked by a large enemy force. In the action, Private LERNER immediately directed accurate fire upon the advancing foe to delay the attack until friendly reinforcements could arrive. Despite the intense fire of the defenders, the enemy moved up the slope and seriously wounded Private Lerner with automatic weapons fire and grenades. Disregarding his wounds, Private LERNER courageously continued to defend the outpost until the enemy overran his position. Private LERNER evaded capture by moving from the hilltop and rolling down the slope. His brave actions in delaying the foe contribute materially to the success of the ensuing counterattack and defeat of the assault. Private LERNER'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.  Entered the Federal Service from New York.

Lesney, Eugene G.

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS I CORPS
GENERAL ORDERS #14 - 10 JULY 1951

Corporal Eugene G. Lesney, ER15404129, Infantry, United States Army Reserve, a member of I Corps Headquarters Public Information Office while on temporary duty with the 73D Heavy Tank Battalion, distinguished himself by gallantry in action against an armed enemy near Koyang, Korea, on 6 April 1951.  At approximately 1400 hours on this date, the enemy placed intense mortar and small arms fire on the tank in which Cpl. Lesney was riding as bow gunner.  During the fire fight which insued, Cpl. Lesney sighted four enemy soldiers with pole charges crawling towards the exposed right flank of his tank.  Unable to bring fire on them with his machine gun from within the tank, Cpl. Lesney, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, opened his hatch and fired on them with his pistol.  His accurate fire hit a pole charge which exploded killing three and wounding the fourth enemy soldier.  Cpl. Lesney's quick thinking, prompt action, and great courage undoubtedly saved the lives of the crew of his tank and the tank itself from destruction.  The gallantry and heroic action of Cpl. Lesney on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.  Entered Federal Service from Michigan.

Libbert, Loran K.

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 481 - 16 November 1953

Private First Class LORAN K. LIBBERT, US55298681, Infantry, Company "C", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the afternoon of 16 July 1953, in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, Private LIBBERT was a radioman accompanying a combat patrol on a mission near enemy lines. Approaching the objective, the force was subjected to heavy barrages of enemy artillery and mortar fire which inflicted several casualties and prevented further advance. The unit rapidly deployed in protected positions and Private LIBBERT sent a message requesting medical aid and reinforcements. Following this, he courageously left his position and exposed himself to the exploding rounds to administer first aid to the wounded and assist in their evacuation. He then bravely answered a call for volunteers to return to the main line of resistance and guide the reinforcements to the scene of action. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he valiantly moved toward friendly lines but was mortally wounded while moving through the intense enemy bombardment. Private LIBBERT'S outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Missouri.

Lizardi, PFC Victor

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 166 - 29 April 1952

Private First Class Victor LIZARDI, NG29153835, Infantry, Company "L" 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the morning of 16 February 1952, a patrol from Company "L" was dispatched with the assignment of contacting the enemy on Hill 153 near Tongchon, Korea. As the patrol advanced toward its objective, it was subjected to intense hostile automatic weapons and small arms fire from a well-entrenched bunker. The initial burst of fire inflicted four friendly casualties and pinned down the remainder of the patrol, preventing its further progress. Private LIZARDI, realizing the necessity for neutralizing this enemy position, completely disregarded his personal safety as he dashed through a withering hail of enemy bullets directly toward the bunker and, when approximately twenty yards from the foe, he accurately hurled two hand grenades into the hostile emplacement, forcing its occupants to flee. The inspirational heroism displayed by Private LIZARDI in single-handedly destroying an enemy position reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal service from Puerto Rico.

Lochs, Jack

Note from Jack Lochs' grandson: "In your list of recipients of the Silver Star, I found Mr. Jack Lochs.  Mr. Lochs was my grandfather and I did some research to find the citation that came with the medal.  First of all, Mr. Lochs was a Belgian Korea veteran, but he received the Silver Star for Gallantry while serving in Korea as a UN volunteer.  Today, a photocopy of his personal file was sent to me, more specific the "Order of the day", mentioning the citation.  Here is the text."

The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress July 9, 1918, has awarded the Silver Star to: First Sergeant Jack (sic) LOCHS, Infantry, Belgian Army, for gallantry in action:

First Sergeant LOCHS, Infantry, Belgian Army, distinguished himself by gallantry in action near Idong, Korea, on 23 April 1952. Voluntarily joining a friendly assaulting force to regain yielded terrain, he utilized his rifle, bayonet and grenades in such an effective manner that the enemy was routed and the key area secured. Although wounded in this encounter, Sergeant LOCHS remained with his unit and assaulted two hostile machine-gun positions, neutralizing the weapons, and killing the crews with his bayonet.  Leaping over a barbed wire entanglement, he killed several more hostile soldiers with his grenades and bayonet and, wounded a second time by grenade fragments and out of ammunition, he was ordered to withdraw. Observing a wounded officer caught in the barbed wire, he ran through the impact area to extricate and carry the officer to safety. His courageous actions and fighting spirit contributed significantly in stemming the enemy onslaught, and his gallantry reflects great credit upon himself, the Belgian United Nations Organization Forces, and the Armed Forces of his native land.

P.S. from Chris Wouters of Brussels, Belgium: "My grandfather died in 1977. By then he was serving as Major in the Belgian Para-Commando Regiment.  I'm the only grandson that followed in his footsteps by choosing a military career. One remark, the (sic) after "Jack" in the Citation was put there by me, because, although the Citation says "Jack", his real first name was Jacques.  All the best from Belgium."

Lockerman, Julian F.

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 69 - 20 March 1951

FIRST LIEUTENANT JULIAN F. LOCKERMAN, 01039443, Infantry, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 29 January 1951, near Sanuisil, Korea, Lieutenant LOCKERMAN was in command of a company that received a sudden attack by a strong enemy force. The command post was destroyed and one platoon was forced to withdraw. Lieutenant LOCKERMAN, with complete disregard for his personal safety, immediately manned a jeep-mounted machine gun and opened fire on the advancing foe. Despite his exposed position and the fact that the enemy's attention was directed solely at him, Lieutenant LOCKERMAN remained with the gun and fought off four enemy attacks. His murderous fire inflicted so many casualties on the enemy that he was forced to retreat. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant LOCKERMAN reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the military service from the State of Georgia.

Lopez, M/Sgt. Jose D.

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 559 - 13 DECEMBER 1951

Master Sergeant Jose D. Lopez, RA10402606, Infantry, Company "L", 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 3 July, 1951, Company "L" attacked enemy-held positions on Hill 581, near Pyon-Gang, Korea. Sergeant Lopez, as field first sergeant, was with the Third Platoon in the initial stage of the attack; however, upon observing the First Platoon in trouble and with casualties, he quickly attached himself to the Second Platoon and led them to relieve pressure upon the First Platoon. While fearlessly moving about under heavy enemy fire, Sergeant Lopez suffered three serious wounds, but continued encouraging the men to hold their positions and to direct fire on the enemy emplacements. He received first aid two hours after being wounded and remained three more hours in the area, coordinating platoon fire and inspiring the men until hostile forces withdrew. The gallantry, leadership and resoluteness displayed by Sergeant Lopez reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the military service from Puerto Rico.

Love, Wallace K.

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS
3d INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS #482 - 17 November 1953

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to WALLACE K. LOVE (RA19396825), Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in Korea. During the early morning hours of 24 June 1953, in the vicinity of Chat-Kol, Korea, the main line of resistance positions of Company K were attacked by a numerically superior enemy force supported by heavy barrages of mortar and artillery fire. Sergeant LOVE rapidly moved from man to man, giving instructions and fire orders. Later, he was informed that the attackers had overrun adjacent defensive fortifications. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he courageously ran across the shell-torn terrain and, utilizing a machine gun, directed accurate fire upon the foe until they were forced to retreat. Despite the enemy concentration, he then commenced to treat and evacuate the wounded. His brave actions were instrumental in the successful defense of the sector and alleviated much suffering. Sergeant LOVE's outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Lueddeke, Gustave F. Jr.

Source: www.arlingtoncemetery.net

Marine Gets Silver Star

The Silver Star has been won by Marine First Lieutenant Gustave Lueddeke, Jr., who is back in the United States after almost a year in Korea.  The son of Mr. and Mrs. Lueddeke of 112 Oakview Avenue, Maplewood, New Jersey, the Marine officer was cited for heroic action with the First Marine Division. He also holds the Distinguished Flying Cross and gold stars in lieu of third and fourth Air Medals for other actions in Korea.  His wife is the former Gertrude Marsh of Maplewood. The couple, who have two children, a son, and an infant daughter, make their home in Quantico, Virginia.  The citation for his awards reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Observation Squadron in Korea on 27 and 28 September 1950. As the pilot of an unarmed helicopter, First Lieutenant Lueddeke made seven flights over enemy held territory to evacuate fourteen United States Army personnel that were isolated from friendly forces by an enemy ambush. Upon learning that a unit of the First Army Cavalry Division had been ambushed and sustained several serious casualties, he volunteered to fly to the area and aid in their evacuation. Although the area was forty-five air miles from his base, and regardless of his own personal safety, he successfully completed his voluntary mission, thereby saving the lives of the wounded United States Army personnel. His actions and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all members of his squadron. First Lieutenant Lueddeke's heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Lugo, Enrique Vega

16 April 1952 - Cpl Enrique Vega Lugo (right) Co. "G", 2nd Bn., 65th INF REGT, 3rd U.S. INF. DIV., receives the Silver Star medal from Col. Juan Cesar Cordero, CO 65th INF REGT, during ceremonies held at REGT HQS, Korea. U.S. Army photo by PFC Philip Perrone (SK) 3rd SIG CO.

Lugo, Oscar Roman

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 144 - 23 May 1953

Private First Class OSCAR ROMAN LUGO, US50114547, Infantry, Company "C", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the night of  23 February 1953, a patrol of Company "C", of which Private ROMAN LUGO was a member, was assigned the mission of destroying an enemy patrol in the vicinity of Chich-on, Korea, and to capture prisoners for intelligence purposes. When the patrol was ambushed by a hostile force, the patrol leader was seriously wounded in the initial burst of fire and lay within yards of the enemy position. After the friendly elements withdrew from the engagement to reorganize, Private ROMAN LUGO volunteered to accompany another member of the patrol to search for the wounded officer. He was subjected to intense hostile fire, but continued in the search until the wounded officer was located. Private ROMAN LUGO then assisted  the other volunteer in dragging him back through the enemy fire to safety. Private ROMAN LUGO"S outstanding gallantry, initiative and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal service from Puerto Rico.

Lyman, William J.

SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 219 - 23 June 1952

Captain WILLIAM J. LYMAN, Jr., 0537620, Infantry, Company "F", 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the early morning hours of 18 January 1952, Captain LYMAN led a patrol from his company up Hill 167, near Sangnyong-Myon, Korea, to establish an outpost from which he could direct the attack of the remainder of the company on the assigned objective. As the lead squad of the patrol neared the top of the hill it was suddenly subjected to an intense barrage of enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire and was effectively pinned down. Observing that the remainder of the patrol was becoming confused and disorganized, Captain LYMAN fearlessly exposed himself to the withering hail of hostile fire as he moved among his men, encouraging, reorganizing, and leading them in an assault on the enemy positions so as to allow the lead squad to withdraw. During the vicious battle which ensued, Captain LYMAN was mortally wounded, but his courageous initiative and leadership enabled the pinned down squad to withdraw with a minimum of casualties. Captain LYMAN'S outstanding gallantry reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal service from South Carolina.