LIEUTENANT COLONEL HOWARD B. ST CLAIR, 022017, Infantry, Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United
States Army. On 25 April 1951, the first of a 3-day enemy counteroffensive,
the 1st Battalion was attacked from the rear by a large hostile force, near
Uijonbu, Korea, which had infiltrated the reserve company's position under
cover of a dense fog and then attempted to crash through the battalion peri-
meter. Personally organizing the support company, Colonel ST CLAIR crossed
bullet-swept terrain many times to do so and then, aware that the continuing
enemy pressure made a withdrawal expedient, he directed effective covering fire,
under the protection of which the battalion fell back to a previously designated
blocking position. In this location, the unit was again struck by the pursuing
enemy forces and in order to direct a successful defense, Colonel ST CLAIR re-
peatedly moved about on an exposed ridge, kept under fire by 5 hostile machine
guns, to observe the action and control the counter fire. After fighting a
fierce engagement, the battalion, skillfully led by Colonel ST CLAIR, once more
necessarily withdrew to a new line of defense. Here again sustaining a hostile
attack of regimental strength, the unit held off and threw back the assault
with staggering losses as Colonel ST CLAIR moved fearlessly about the embattled
perimeter urging his battle weary troops to stand firm. The personal gallantry
and brilliant application of fire and maneuver reflect the highest credit upon
himself and the military service. Entered the military service from the State
of West Virginia.

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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