The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Private First Class Patrick Sheahan (ASN: US-51064448), United States Army, for heroic achievement during ground operations against a hostile force as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 8 June 1951, near Sam Ywie, Korea, Company A was engaged in the assault upon Hill 786 when it was suddenly subjected to heavy enemy machine gun fire which cut off four men from their unit, wounding two of them before they could reach a place of cover. Private Sheahan, seeing his comrades fall, stopped to carry them, one at a time, to a position of safety and then remained with them while another went to locate a medical aidman. At this point, a large group of enemy soldiers commenced to assault his position but he stood fast, firing into the attack with his rifle until his platoon broke through to rout the foe. Private Sheahan’s unwavering heroism and determination were instrumental in saving the lives of two fellow soldiers and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Private First ClassBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
7th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
June 8, 1951
Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 419 (September 13, 1951) -
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
CorporalBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
7th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
October 4, 1951
Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 561 (December 13, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Patrick Sheahan (ASN: US-51064448), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 4 October 1951, Company A, 1st Battalion, with the First Platoon serving as the assault unit, attacked Hill 281, near Chungse-ri, Korea. Stiff enemy opposition prevailed and the sweeping fire of a hostile machine gun soon pinned down the platoon and halted its advance up the hill. Corporal Sheahan, realizing the gravity of the situation and aware that the enemy weapon must be neutralized, courageously crawled forward under the lethal hail of fire and completely destroyed the emplacement with accurately thrown hand grenades. Uncertain as to whether all the enemy soldiers had been killed by the explosions, he rose to his feet and, rushing forward, fired a long burst into the smashed entrenchment, eliminating all possible opposition. It was while thus revealed to the enemy, as he carried out his single-handedly brave action, that Corporal Sheahan fell, mortally wounded by the savage fire of an adjacent automatic weapon. Corporal Sheahan’s aggressive gallantry and selfless devotion to duty were instrumental in the successful completion of his unit’s mission and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.