GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 381 - 29 December 1952

 

    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:

   Corporal JUAN SANCHEZ FIGUEROA, NG29144641, Army Medical Service, Medical Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the afternoon of 9 February 1952, elements of a platoon of Company "I" had just relieved another platoon from the same friendly unit that were maintaining defensive positions at an outpost in the Vicinity of Yu-hyon, Korea, when they were subjected it an intense enemy mortar barrage, Corporal SANCHEZ-FIGUEROA, aid man of the relieved platoon, was bearing the base of the hill with his unit when he observed the enemy aggression and noticed that a man of the outpost group was hit by fragments of an enemy mortar round. Realizing that the soldier needed immediate medical aid, and that he could reach him before the assigned aid men of the platoon defending the outpost, Corporal SANCHEZ-FIGUEROA ignored the fierce hostile barrage and disregarded his personal safety as he returned to the critical area to render medical assistance to the casualty. Corporal SANCHEZ-FIGUEROA'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty served as an inspiration to all who witnessed his act and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the federal service from Puerto Rico.