The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Gordon E. Murch (ASN: 0-31651), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Chirwon, Korea, on 3 September 1950. The enemy succeeded in infiltrating behind the forward Command Post establishing road blocks and cutting off the forward elements of the battalion. Due to the heavy fog, elements of an enemy battalion had established a machine gun position firing on the Command Post group. Realizing instantly that the high ground from which the battalion jumped off must be denied the enemy, he ordered the Command Post group to seize and defend this high ground. Meanwhile he had picked up an M-1 Rifle and between orders began to fire at the enemy. Colonel Murch and one other man took up the rear guard of his command group alone until they had consolidated their positions. When the rifle companies had seized their objectives and the high ground occupied by the Command Post group was no longer vital, Colonel Murch again took up the rear guard alone for his command group while they withdrew to the new battalion perimeter. Colonel Murch’s gallantry and outstanding courage displayed on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Gordon E. Murch (ASN: 0-31651), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 2d Battalion. 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. Having made an attack in the vicinity of Soi-ri, Korea, on 18 August 1950, elements of the regiment took up defensive positions in the vicinity of Sin-ji. Major Murch immediately went to the most forward position of his battalion and despite continuous attacks by artillery, mortars and small arms, supervised establishment and improvement of defensive measures. Though for seven days and seven nights the battalion was subjected to constant attacks by the enemy who were further supported by tanks, Major Murch, by constantly sharing he dangers of his men and by his skill in supervising the defense, inspired all his associates to a supreme effort to hold. As a result, his battalion, together with the other battalion in defense, accounted for 11 tanks, 3 self-propelled guns, 3 vehicles and approximately 1,200 casualties among the enemy. Major Murch’s gallant leadership and conspicuous tactical ability reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.