Navy Federal Credit Union

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) [then Second Lieutenant] Randolph Townsend (ASN: 0-2202391), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in Korea. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    19th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 8, 1951

    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 325 (April 16, 1951), Amended by General Orders No. 79 (1952)

    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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Randolph Townsend (ASN: 0-2202391), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Kunom-ni, Korea, on 8 February 1951. His company was attacking Hill 584, defended by an estimated enemy reinforced company in excellently prepared, sandbagged, and camouflaged positions with an estimated two battalions held as a counterattack force on the reverse slope of the hill. The fighting was exceedingly bitter as it was necessary to dig the enemy from his positions with hand grenades and bayonets. As soon as his platoon was committed on the left flank of the company, he began running into these positions. With complete disregard for personal safety, he went immediately to the spot under the heaviest enemy fire searching for ways to knock out the defense position. The high caliber of his methods was proven by the counted 75 enemy that his men killed during their advance. Near the summit of the hill a set of emplacements was met that the men could not locate and which were holding up the entire attack. He moved at once to the area and was quickly able to locate the targets. However, as he was pointing out the method of attack, he was caught in the crossfire of those weapons and killed. Following the directions he had given and grief stricken at his loss, his men stormed over the enemy positions with a rush that carried them to the top of the hill and the taking of heir objective. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Townsend, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.