Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Douglas
Wayne
Syverson
1917-08-03

–

1997-09-15

Home:

Webster

, 

South Dakota

Buried: 

San Antonio

, 

Texas

Cemetery:

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    50th Armored Infantry Battalion

    Division:

    6th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    January 15, 1945
    Headquarters, 6th Armored Division, General Orders No. 49 (1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Douglas W. Syverson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 50th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division, in action in the vicinity of Arlencourt, Belgium, on 15 January 1945. When the lead scout of the platoon was seriously wounded while crossing an exposed ridge, Lieutenant Syverson, with complete disregard for his own safety, crossed the ridge under a withering hail of machine gun fire and evacuated the wounded man. His courageous action was instrumental in saving the life of the Soldier.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    21st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 4, 1950
    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 9 (January 4, 1951)

    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 Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Douglas Wayne Syverson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer, Company G, 2d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Angang-ni, Korea, on 4 September 1950. His company was attacked by an enemy force estimated at over 400 troops. One of his platoons had been subjected to a particularly fierce assault and was being disorganized by the fury of the fire sweeping its positions. One of three tanks, supporting the platoon, was disabled in this action. Utterly disregarding the enemy’s intense fire, Captain Syverson moved among the men encouraging them on to greater efforts and placing them in defensive positions. Dispatching a small group of his men, to the rear, with instructions for setting up a defense of the town, he remained in his exposed position. He personally placed explosive charges to destroy the disabled tank and directed the evacuation of the wounded on the remaining tanks. After the disabled tank had been destroyed and assured of the safe removal of the wounded Captain Syverson led the platoon, through the encircling enemy to the company’s position in the town. Here he quickly organized an effective defense and in spite of overwhelming odds the enemy was repulsed withy heavy losses. Captain Syverson’s gallant actions, exemplary leadership and complete devotion to duty reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the United States Infantry.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    21st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 31, 1950
    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 223 (1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Douglas Wayne Syverson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer, Company G, 2d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Kwaksen, Korea, on 31 October 1950. When his company was spearheading the regiment’s drive toward the Yalu River, its advance was temporarily halted when it encountered severe fire from seven enemy tanks and an estimated battalion of enemy troops. When the enemy opened fire on his company’s lead platoon, Captain Syverson, displaying outstanding leadership ability, courage and devotion to duty, moved forward into the severe enemy mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire to his lead platoon’s position where, with utter disregard for personal safety, he personally directed establishment of a base of fire by the platoon. Then, although under intense enemy fire, he moved to the rear and in the extreme darkness, contacted his support platoon. Captain Syverson, again displaying utter disregard for personal safety led his support platoon back into the face of the enemy fire to a position from where it placed heavy fire on the enemy position and neutralized the enemy fire. Captain Syverson’s courageous actions and outstanding leadership ability reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    July 16, 1970 – July 31, 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Douglas W. Syverson, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, United States Army Personnel Security Group; a member of the Study and Analysis Group; and as Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, United States Army Intelligence Command, Fort Holabird, Maryland, from 16 July 1970 to 31 July 1973. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Syverson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    May 1963 – May 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Douglas W. Syverson, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Organization Officer, Organization Section, Organization and Training Branch, Combat Intelligence Division; as Chief, Organization Branch, Organization and Training Division, Directorate of Combat Intelligence, all assignments in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of the Army during the period May 1963 to May 1967. In each of these responsible positions, Colonel Syverson demonstrated a high degree of technical skill, originality, mature judgment, and dedicated devotion to duty. Early in his initial assignment, Colonel Syverson served as a key member at an Ad Hoc Committee formed to administer the Exchange Project “Australia/United States Data Exchange Agreement.” Colonel Syverson’s sense of urgency, tactfulness and professional handling of actions, throughout the conferences, materially facilitated the joint efforts of both Armies. During the U.S. Forces action in the Dominican Republic, Colonel Syverson served as a key representative of an OACSI team which was sent to solve problems concerning intelligence organization and forces. He made a significant contribution by developing a recommended intelligence force structure and initiating actions to obtain required personnel to permit organization of recommended intelligence units. When U.S. combat forces were committed to action in South Vietnam, Colonel Syverson developed an “Optimum Intelligence Organization” for the counter-insurgency situation confronting the United States Armed Forces. His plan was so well conceived and expertly organized that it proved to be of great value in solving comprehensive and complex intelligence problems associated with operations in Vietnam. His basic organization is in use by U.S. Forces in Vietnam today. While serving in these assignments, Colonel Syverson demonstrated unusual managerial ability, professional acumen and unique ability in accomplishing intelligence objectives of major significance to the security of the nation. Colonel Syverson’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.