GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 256 14 July 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 posthumously to the following named enlisted men:

Private JOHNNY J. BROCKENWITCH, US55289476, Infantry, Company "F", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the afternoon of 10 June 1953, Company "F" attacked enemy held Hill "412" in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. The first assault unit to leave the line of departure was a volunteer assault element of which Private BROCKENWITCH was a member. Their mission was to destroy all fortifications in two known enemy caves on the forward slope of the hill. Private BROCKENWITCH, braving a hail of hostile grenade and automatic weapons fire, ran upto the mouth of an enemy cave and hurled his grenade into it, mortally wounding the enemy within. Moving on to assault the second cave, his actions contributed greatly towards the quick destruction of this fortification as well. The assault team, attempting to rush further enemy positions on the reverse side of the hill, were momentarily halted by the intense hostile fire. When the medical aidmen came up to remove the wounded, Private BROCKENWITCH covered their evacuation route. Crouching on the skyline, his accurate fire enabled the medical aidmen to reach the wounded friendly soldiers. He observed two snipers located in a bunker further down the reverse slope and moved his field of fire to their area, mortally wounding both enemy soldier. After the last casualty had been moved to cover, he returned to friendly positions and helped administer first aid to a wounded comrade. Private BROCKENWITCH'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Michigan.

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