Master Sergeant WILLIAM E. BAGWELL, RA20463269, Infantry, Company "F", 65th
Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the afternoon of
10 June 1953, in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea, Company "F" assaulted enemy held
Hill "412". During the first stages of the battle, Sergeant BAGWELL assisted in
the evacuation of the wounded. When the support of the reserve platoon was urgently
needed and the radio operator was too exhausted to ascend one of the peaks to transmit
the message, Sergeant BAGWELL, taking over the radio, ascended the second peak
of the hill in an attempt to relay the important request. Upon reaching the peak,
he was subjected to intense concentrations of enemy shellfire, making successful
radio transmission impossible. He then moved down the hill to the reserve platoon's
position and relayed the request for assistance and directed two squads back up the
hill into position while under the heavy barrage. Upon completing his mission, he
resumed his direction of the evacuation of wounded. In the last moments of the
battle, Sergeant BAGWELL moved up to the highest peak of the hill, exposing himself
to the enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire, to make certain that all friendly
soldiers had withdrawn from the area. Sergeant BAGWELL'S outstanding gallantry and
devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered
the Federal Service from Arkansas.
Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 -
National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.