Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry) [then Captain]

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    31st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    7th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 28 – December 2, 1950

    General Headquarters Far East Command: General Orders No. 186 (1951)

    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 Major (Infantry) [then Captain] Earle Howard Jordan, Jr. (ASN: 0-1293600), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company M, 3d Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Major Jordan, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of the Changjin (Chosin) Reservoir in North Korea during the period 28 November 1950 through 2 December 1950. On 28 November 1950, the 3d Battalion, in defensive positions for the night, was surrounded and ferociously attacked at approximately 0500 hours by a numerically superior hostile force, seriously penetrating the outer line of resistance, inflicting heavy casualties and causing a disorderly withdrawal of troops from the east side of the perimeter. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Major Jordan, despite intense mortar, automatic weapons, small arms and grenade fire, rallied and reorganized the withdrawing troops and personally supervised the establishment of a new perimeter. During the ensuing two days he fearlessly led his command against repeated attacks and constantly braved withering machine gun and mortar fire to move among his men, encouraging and deploying them to insure maximum defense of each position. Upon orders to withdraw, Major Jordan supervised the evacuation of the wounded and, while directing the retrograde action of his unit, two road blocks were encountered by the mortar convoy. Major Jordan immediately rallied, organized and led determined attacks against well-entrenched positions on high ground, routing the ruthless foe from their strong-points and enabling the convoy to resume its march. Although seriously wounded, Major Jordan held his forces together and, dominating and controlling the critical situation through sheer force of his forces together and, dominating and controlling the successful completion of the mission. Major Jordan’s inspirational leadership, unflinching courage and intrepid actions reflect utmost credit on himself and the honored traditions of the military service.