GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 355  24 Aug 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:

Sergeant (then Corporal) PATRICK H. DODGENS, US53124469, Infantry, Company "E", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the night of 14 June 1953, Company "E" made a raid on Hill  412 in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. The company departed from the main line of resistance under heavy enemy shelling and advanced toward the enemy outpost. As they reached the objective, heavy enemy machine gun fire along with intense mortar and artillery fire caused numerous casualties among the assault element. As the now depleted squad of Sergeant DODGENS made its way from position to position, the enemy machine guns forced them to take cover. Only through the encouragement and superior leadership of Sergeant DODGENS was the squad held together in a highly aggressive unit. A short while after reaching the objective Sergeant DODGENS' platoon sergeant was seriously wounded and lying in an enemy trench in close proximity to the foe. With complete disregard of his personal safety, Sergeant DODGENS leaped from his position and moved to the aid of his wounded comrade, evacuating him to comparative safety and urgently needed medical aid. Sergeant DODGENS' outstanding heroism and untiring 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.