Puerto Rico's 
65th INFANTRY REGIMENT
SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 341 - 15 August 1953
Sergeant First Class ALTON BEEKS, RA34647640, Infantry, Company "E", 65th
Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the night of 14
June and during the early morning hours of 15 June 1953, Company "E" had the mission
of raiding an enemy outpost in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. A platoon, of which
Sergeant BEEKS was platoon sergeant, departed from the friendly lines under heavy
enemy fire and advanced toward the enemy stronghold when the platoon leader became
seriously wounded. Sergeant BEEKS immediately accepted the responsibility of com-
mand and led his platoon in combat. When ordered to return to friendly lines, he
organized his platoon, supervised the evacuation of wounded and then remained on the
objective to search for missing personnel. Although hampered by darkness and enemy
fire, he found several wounded comrades and evacuated them to a point from which
they could be returned to friendly lines by litter. When assistance arrived, he
directed the further evacuation with the utmost efficiency. Sergeant BEEKS' out-
standing gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the
military service. Entered the Federal Service from South Carolina.
Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 -
National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.
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