GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 339 15 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 ROYAL J. LA ROCQUE, RA16300267, Infantry, Company "F", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the afternoon of 10 June 1953, Company "F" had the mission of attacking enemy held Hill "412" in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. During the assault, Sergeant LA ROCQUE, in charge of a section of litter bearers, observed a wounded man lying near the crest of the hill. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he left the comparative cover of his position and ascended the hill to evacuate the casualty. As he drew close to the wonded man, enemy mortar, grenades and small arms fire blanketed the area. Reaching the wounded man and imediately rendering vitally needed medical aid, Sergeant LA ROCQUE and another litter bearer placed the man on a litter and began to evacuate him to cover. An enemy mortar round landed near them, destroying the litter and hurling the wounded man to the ground. Sergeant LA ROCQUE and his assistant carried the man down the hill to cover, despite the continuing enemy fire. Sergeant LA ROCQUE'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Illinois.

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