GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 292- 28 July 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 VICTOR L. MONTOYA, RA17240207, Army Medical Service, Medical Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the afternoon hours of 10 June 1953, elements of the 65th Infantry Regiment raided an enemy outpost Hill "412" in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. In the intense hand-to hand combat which ensued, several friendly casualties were suffered. A personnel carrier was dispatched from the friendly lines to evacuate these wounded men. Sergeant MONTOYA, a medical aid man, voluntarily joined the crew of the carrier and went out through devastating mortar fire to a tank position where the casualties lay. He learned that two wounded soldiers were situated on the reverse slope of the hill in close proximity to the enemy troops. Sergeant MONTOYA, without regard for his personal safety, exposed himself to enemy observation and fire in an effort to locate the men. Upon thoroughly searching the area, he was unable to locate the men and returned to the carrier. He then administered aid to casualties lying near the tank and assisted in placing them on the carrier. As he returned to the friendly line, the enemy harassed the route with a lethal concentration of mortar fire. Sergeant MONTOYA'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Colorado.

Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3^rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 -

National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.

Sergeant Victor L. Montoya