GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 241 10 July 1953

 

    AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL - (POSTHUMOUS) 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 officer and enlisted man:

Sergeant EUGENE C. RHODE, US55242289, Armor, Tank Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the evening of 14 June 1953, Sergeant RHODE was given orders to move his tank from a stationary firing position to an assembly area in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea, where a task force was being consolidated for an attack on enemy positions. As he was directing his tank down a slope and onto a dirt road leading to the area, enemy mortar and artillery fire began raining in. A truck carrying infantryman was coming down the road at this time. Sergeant RHODE, realizing that movement of the truck through this shell torn area without cover would result in heavy friendly casualties, moved his tank into a position from which the crew could provide effective covering fire. He then guided the truck safely through the enemy shell fire. As he was moving his tank again on the road to continue toward the assembly area, a mortar round struck the tank and mortally wounded him. Sergeant RHODE'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Wisconsin. 

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