GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 384  8 Sept 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 enlisted men:

Private JAMES B. KERSEY, US51188032, Infantry, Company "K", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the early morning hours of 6 July 1953, in the vicinity of Honu-Chon, Korea, Company "K" commenced an attack on enemy held Hill "250". As the attacking force began the assault on the highest point of the hill, it came under fire from a large enemy machine gun emplacement and supporting automatic weapons positions. Private KERSEY, an automatic rifleman in the assault unit, immediately took up a position on the crest of a lower ridge directly in front of the machine gun bunker. He then directed his fire at automatic rifle positions on both sides of the bunker. In the ensuing action, he was wounded by fragments from an artillery shell. Despite his wounds, he then aggressively moved towards the enemy positions, alternately throwing grenades and firing his weapon. Private KERSEY'S effective placement of grenades and accurate fire destroyed one enemy position and damaged another. A short time later, he was again wounded by artillery, rendering him incapable of continuing the assault. Private KERSEY'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from New Jersey.

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