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65th Infantry Regiment

Bronze Star

HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 197 - 19  JUNE 1953

AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (FIRST BRONZE OAK-LEAF CLUSTER). -- 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 (First Bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster) with Letter "V" for heroic achievement in connection ith military operations against an enemy of the United States is awarded to the following named officer and enlisted men:

Private First Class PEDRO A. SANTANA CAMACHO, US50106679, Infantry, Medical Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the early evening of 14 February 1953, a friendly truck was struck by an enemy mortar round while proceeding up a road directly behind the Company "F" sector of the main line of resistance in the vicinity of Songdong-ni, Korea. The two men riding in the truck were critically wounded as a result of receiving the direct hit. Having observed the entire incident, Private SANTANA CAMACHO, a medical aidman of Company "F", left the compaative safety of his bunker, and set out for the wounded men in a litter truck. After stopping several times to avoid being hit by enemy fire, he succeeded in reaching the wounded men and began to administer first aid to them. He then placed the men on litters and put them into the truck. The increasing mortar fire forced him to place the truck under cover. Realizing that the delay in evacuating the men to the rear placed their lives in further jeopardy, he braved the hail of fire and started down the road leading to the 2nd Battalion Aid Station. He arrived safely there and delivered the casualties to the surgeon. As a result of his actions, the lives of two critcally wounded men were saved. Private SANTANA CAMACHO'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Puerto Rico.