GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 378 - 17 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: 

   Private JORGE MERCED APONTE, US29131968, Infantry, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the morning of 19 September 1952, Private MERCED APONTE, upon observing two wounded soldiers lying near the base of a hill referred to as "Kelly", in the vicinity of Koyangdae, Korea, immediately hurried to the command post to seek someone to help him evacuate the casualties. With an officer volunteering to accompany him, he left his protective shelter, disregarded his personal safety, and ignored the fierce enemy sniper, artillery and mortar fire as he crossed the shell-torn area in search of the wounded. Locating the casualties and realizing they needed prompt medical attention Private MERCED APONTE oblivious to the intense enemy fire personally carried one of the wounded soldiers across the devastated area as he evacuated him to a position of safety. Private MERCED APONTE'S outstanding bravery and selfless actions served as an inspiration to all who witnessed his courageous actions and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal service from Puerto Rico.

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

 National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.

16 JANUARY 1953 - PVT JORGE MERCED APONTE (GUANABO, P.R.),HQS CO, 2ND BN, 65TH INF REGT, 3RD US INF DIV, IS CONGRATULATED UPON RECEIVING THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH "V" DEVICE, BY LT COL WILLIAM W. COX (CARMEL, CALIF), CO, IN KOREA. PVT  MERCED APONTE CARRIED A WOUNDED BUDDY TO SAFETY DURING AN INTENSE ENEMY ARTILLERY BARRAGE. U S ARMY PHOTO BY SGT DONALD POWELL 3RD SIG CO