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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major [then First Lieutenant] Pearson Buckley Yeager (ASN: 0-338837), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against Japanese forces in Balete Pass, Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 27 April to 5 May 1945. Major Yeager’s company had attacked continuously for three days without success due to the enemy’s overwhelming superiority in manpower. Although the strength of his company had been cut in half its normal strength due to arduous mental tortures and physical strain his men had been up against, he persistently pressed the fight to the enemy with the full confidence of his men. Through the astute tactical knowledge, he employed a dusk bayonet attack on 28 April, catching the enemy by surprise. At the conclusion of the attack, fifteen enemy dead were counted and the key position was now in our hands. On 1 May, the supply route was cut by enemy action. Major Yeager, fully cognizant of the precarious position he now held, moved from man to man, lending a hand wherever needed and giving words of encouragement, furthering confidence in themselves and their cause. Major Yeager’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    35th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 18 – 22, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 93 (1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Pearson Buckley Yeager (ASN: 0-338837), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in January 1943. On 18 January, First Lieutenant Yeager located and charged an enemy machine gun nest, killing one of the crew by fire from his submachine gun and causing the rest to flee. By this action he saved the patrol he was leading from probable ambush and aided in the killing of six enemy soldiers and the capture of one prisoner. On 19 January, he led a patrol of 25 men further along the same trail into an enemy bivouac area. First Lieutenant Yeager reconnoitered for and organized the surprise attack against the bivouac, and during the attack, aided in the destruction of one mountain gun of around 70-mm. and one automatic rifle, and numerous small arms, the killing of six enemy soldiers, and the capture of valuable maps and papers. On 21 and 22 January, First Lieutenant Yeager led another patrol of 34 men almost two miles along the trail followed the previous day, over extremely difficult terrain, to the peak of a mountain. First Lieutenant Yeager or his assistant, in turn, led the way at all times, always moving into any dangerous area first and protecting the advance of the patrol. Often catching the enemy by surprise, the patrol killed a total of 21 enemy and destroyed many smaller caliber weapons, in addition to gaining valuable information. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.