GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 373 - 21 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 WILFREDO OLMEDA MATOS, US50104376, Armor, Heavy Tank Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 16 August 1952, a friendly vehicle, while traveling on a road near Umjichon, Korea, was suddenly brought under intense enemy artillery fire, striking the vehicle and injuring its occupants. Corporal OLEMEDA MATOS, a crewman of a tank that observed the incident, accompanied his tank to the scene of turmoil in order to assist in the evacuation of the casualties. Arriving at the scene and disregarding the enemy artillery barrage, he dismounted from the tank and assisted in bringing one injured man to the comparative safety of the tank. Due to the over increasing intensity of the enemy fire, the tank was forced to withdraw to a position of safety. Realizing that the remaining casualty needed immediate medical attention, Corporal ALMEDA MATOS, with a volunteer, procured a litter, returned to the shrapnel-torn area, located the remaing injured man and safely evacuated him to a position where he could receive medical care. Corporal OLMEDA MATOS' heroism and selfless actions were instrumental in saving the lives of two of his fellow soldiers and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal service from Puerto Rico.