GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 204 - 24 June 1953

 

    AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL - 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 to the following named officers and enlisted men: 

    First Lieutenant RICHARD CAVAZOS, 064593, Infantry, Company "E", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the early morning hours of 16 May 1953, in the vicinity of Songnae-dong, Korea, a friendly unit holding a defensive position on Outpost "Harry" was subjected to an intense enemy artillery and mortar barrage followed by a numerically superior hostile attack. The communications to the besieged friendly unit were destroyed by the heavy shelling. Lieutenant CAVAZOS, with complete disregard for his personnel safety, voluntarily went forward to check and repair the lines to the outpost. While advancing through the devastated area, checking the communication wires, he was subjected to constant enemy fire. At times, his path came within close proximity of the attacking hostile soldiers, but he continued forward until he reached the outpost. As a result of his actions, the vital communications were restored. Lieutenant CAVAZOS' outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal service from Texas.

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