GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 385  8 Sept 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 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 man:

Sergeant First Class RALPH R. WADDINGTON, RA15418172, Company "I", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the night of 2 July and during the early morning hours of 3 July 1953, in the vicinity of Houn-Chon, Korea, a patrol, of which Sergeant WADDINGTON was a member, set out on a reconnaissance mission. As it advanced along a route near an area known to be mined, two explosions were heard. Upon investigation he learned that a friendly patrol had entered the minefield and had suffered several casualties. Sergeant WADDINGTON informed his patrol leader of this and returned to friendly lines, obtained the equipment necessary for the evacuation of the wounded, and courageously returned to the minefield through an intense enemy concentration of mortar fire. As a result of his quick, decisive actions, the casualties were safely evacuated from the hazardous area. Sergeant WADDINGTON'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Indiana.

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