GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 354  24 Aug 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 officer and enlisted men:

Private First Class (then Private) HOWARD W. WHITELY, RA13459171, Infantry, Company "K", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the early morning hours of 6 July 1953, Company "K" began to raid enemy held hill 250 in the vicinity of Honu-Chon, Korea. Shortly after the fire fight got under way, the support platoon was called into action. Upon arriving at the scene of conflict, they observed a group of enemy soldiers coming over the crest of the hill. Private WHITELY, an automatic rifleman in the support platoon, quickly opened fire on the enemy. His accurate and rapid fire contributed greatly in disrupting the enemy's advance and turning them back in complete rout. Private WHITELY then directed his fire upon an enemy machine gun bunker. In the ensuing action, grenade fragments disabled his automatic rifle. Not once seeking cover, he commenced to hurl grenades into the aperture of an enemy bunker. His accurate placement of grenades caused extensive damage to the enemy position. When the order to return to friendly lines was given, he remained on the hill to assist in the evacuation of friendly casualties to the safety of friendly lines. Privae WHITELY'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Pennsylvania.

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