Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    19th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 13, 1951

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 84 (February 9, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private First Class Chadwick Guilford Shelley (ASN: 51051060), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Private First Class Shelley distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumsong, Korea, on 13 October 1951. On that date, Private Shelley advanced with the assaulting elements of his company as they launched an attack against a numerically superior hostile force occupying well-fortified emplacements on a key terrain feature. As the friendly troops neared the objective, they were subjected to an intense volume of enemy small-arms and automatic weapons fire which forced them to seek cover on the bare slope. Realizing the need for immediate aggressive action, Private Shelley charged around the flank of his platoon and single-handedly killed several enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. Observing a machine-gun in an enemy bunker preparing to fire on his comrades, he quickly leaped into a connecting trench and threw a grenade into the emplacement. After entering the bunker and capturing its occupants, he turned them over to his comrades and resumed his assault. He moved from one enemy position to the next, alternately throwing grenades and firing his rifle with deadly accuracy until a strong bunker which was the key to the enemy defense network temporarily pinned him down with heavy fire. After the emplacement had been silenced by friendly tank fire, Private Shelley charged forward once more and, inspired by his fearless actions, his comrades followed him and routed the enemy from the objective. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Private First Class Shelley on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.