GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 354  24 Aug 1953

 

    AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS) - By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (Sec II, WD Bul 3, 1944), and pursuant to authority in AR 600-45, the Bronze Star Medal with Letter "V" device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States is awarded posthumously to the following named officer and enlisted men:

First Lieutenant JOHN R. WASSON, 063884, Infantry, Company "I", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the afternoon of 25 June 1953, a reconnaissance party from Company "I", under the command of Lieutenant WASSON, advanced to reconnoiter a new sector on the main line of resistance in the vicinity of Sangdong-ni, Korea. The group was halted by a stalled vehicle which was blocking the route forward. Immediately after having stopped, the reconnaissance party became subjected to intense concentrations of enemy artillery fire. Lieutenant WASSON, couregeously exposing himself to this fire and with complete disregard for his personal safety, immediately directed his men to the safety of the available cover. It was while he thus directed his men to cover, that Lieutenant WASSON was mortally wounded by fragments from an exploding artillery shell. Lieutenant WASSON'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Indiana.

 Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 - National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.