FIRST LIEUTENANT JAMES B. WELSH, 01823674, Armor, Tank Company, 65th
Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 18 April 1951, near
Yur-hyon, Korea, Lieutenant WELSH was on a mission to retrieve three disabled
tanks. When the armored column reached the vicinity of those vehicles, it
came under severe small arms and machine gun fire from enemy troops entrenched
on ridges around the area. Completely disregarding his own safety,
Lieutenant WELSH exposed himself to enemy fire by sitting on top of the
tank's turret and firing the heavy machine gun to point out the foe's
positions to his platoon. After being wounded when the overtaxed weapon
exploded, he withdrew from the action to seek medical attention and then
returned to his post, enabling one tank to be retrieved. During a second
enemy assault on his unit, Lieutenant WELSH was again wounded as he fearlessly
led the platoon in defense of its position. Seeing his commander wounded,
the tank driver became confused and began to reverse the vehicle, backing his
tank toward a bank with at least a ten foot drop. Though seriously wounded
Lieutenant WELSH, by courageous determination, reached the driver and stopped
him in time to avert the loss of the tank and its crew. The gallantry and
bravery displayed by Lieutenant WELSH reflect great credit upon himself and
are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered
the military service from the State of New Jersey.

Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3^rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 -

National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.

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