FIRST LIEUTENANT ROMEO H. BUCKNELL, JR., 01330151, Infantry, Company "A",
65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 4 June 1951, Com-
pany "A" was assigned the mission of capturing Hill 466, near Unchon-ni, Korea,
after another company, suffering a large number of casualties, had failed to
gain the objective. The route to the objective was zeroed in by the enemy
artillery and snipers were known to be deployed at strategic points, making any
advance extremely hazardous. Lieutenant BUCKNELL, although constantly exposed
to the heavy artillery barrage, aggressively led his company forward and going
from man to man, encouraged each one to maintain the steady advance until the
company, although having sustained many casualties, succeeded in reaching its
goal. Almost immediately, the enemy launched a vicious counterattack, blast-
ing the hill with a rain of hand grenades which wounded two of the company's
platoon leaders and several of the ranking non-commissioned officers, depriv-
ing the unit of much of its essential leadership. Lieutenant BUCKNELL, seri-
ously handicapped by this and yet possessed with a fierce determination to hold
the objective, reorganized his casualty riddled company by personally placing
men in important positions. Ordering them to hold firmly, he continued to move
about the perimeter, urging and inspiring his men with his exemplary courage
and disregard for his own well-being. During the night and the following morn-
ing the enemy, in groups of 40 and 50, attempted several assaults but the com-
pany, bolstered by Lieutenant BUCKNELL'S tenacity and vocal reassurance, re-
peatedly repelled these attacks. Throughout the engagement the valiant officer,
although slightly wounded, was always in the thick of the battle giving first
aid, evacuating the wounded, carrying ammunition, and laying sound wire, all
necessary in aiding the company to hold its ground. This containing action
paved the way for the withdrawal of a friendly battalion on the left flank and
prevented the enemy from jeopardizing the 1st Battalion, of which Company "A"
was a part. That the company mission was so outstandingly successful despite
many handicaps is due directly to Lieutenant BUCKNELL'S resolute leadership,
bold aggressiveness, and superb gallantry reflecting the highest credit upon
himself and the military service. Entered the military service from the State
of New York.

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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