GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 273  25 July 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 posthumously to the following named enlisted men:

Corporal ORLANDO HERNANDEZ LOPEZ, US50118726, Armor, Tank Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the afternoon of 10 June 1953 elements of the 65th Infantry Regiment raided Hill "412", an enemy outpost in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. Corporal HERNANDEZ LOPEZ, the gunner on a General Patton tank situated on a high firing position overlooking the area of the raid, immediately opened fire on the hostile force in support of the raid. Soon after the inception of his firing, the enemy subjected the friendly tank position to an effective barrage of mortar and artillery fire. Corporal HERNANDEZ LOPEZ, undaunted by the shell blasts which rained about the tank, continued firing, placing vitally needed supporting fire on the enemy troops and fortifications which had impeded the advance of the friendly troops. Throughout the remainder of the attack, he supported the raid with accurate and effective fire despite the intensity of the enemy concentrations which rained down on the tank position. Corporal HERNANDEZ LOPEZ' outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Puerto Rico.

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