Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 18, 1951

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 230 (June 28, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Joe W. Hurst (ASN: ER-14292283), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 May 1951, near P’ungch’on-ni, Korea. Company I was in defensive positions and the third platoon, in Which Private Hurst was serving as a rifleman, was ordered to attack and seize a hill in order to close a gap that existed between Company I and the unit on its right flank. The enemy on the previous night had taken that hill in a ferocious attack and was now preparing defenses on it. When the platoon was advancing toward the objective, the enemy opened fire on it from two bunkers on the flank which brought the platoon to a halt. Private Hurst, heedless of the intensity of the enemy fire directed at him, rushed the enemy positions in an attempt to arrest their fire. Making his way to one bunker under a hail of fire, he threw a grenade into it and silenced it. Then, dashing quickly to the second bunker he threw another grenade into it, destroying that position also. During this entire action, Private Hurst was continually under the deadly small arms and automatic weapons fire of the enemy. As a result of his daring action, the platoon was able to resume its advance and take its objective. The gallantry displayed by Private Hurst reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.