The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Homer Laurence Litzenberg, Jr. (MCSN: 0-3959), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of the Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, prior to and during action against enemy Japanese forces on Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll, from 7 October 1943 to 2 February 1944. Supervising and coordinating the work of all staff sections and attachments during the planning phase, Lieutenant Colonel Litzenberg contributed materially to the success of this Combat Team in its initial action against the enemy. When the absence of tracked landing vehicles on D-Day, threatened to prevent his regiment from landing on schedule, he personally assembled all available landing craft for the regimental team and later landed with his unit in the face of intense mortar and machine-gun fire. Throughout the two-day battle, he displayed complete coolness under fire and was an inspiration to all with whom he came in contact. His professional ability, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Litzenberg and the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
November 12 – 19, 1950
Headquarters, X Corps, General Orders No. 40 (November 22, 1950)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 (Army Award) to Colonel Homer Laurence Litzenberg, Jr. (MCSN: 0-3959), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 12 November 1950 to 19 November 1950. During this period Colonel Litzenberg, though frequently exposed to enemy mortar, automatic and small arms fire, continually visited and supervised the movements of his front line units in their advance along the Hamhung-Hagaru-ri road to the Chosin Reservoir area in North Korea. The route of advance was over a narrow, mountainous road with the enemy being well entrenched and possessing excellent observation thereby making movement difficult. The constant display of personal courage and aggressive leadership by Colonel Litzenberg were instrumental in the rapid advance of his unit to assigned objectives. The actions by Colonel Litzenberg reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
September 21 – November 2, 1950
Heroes U.S. Marine Corps, 1861 – 1955: Jane Blakeney(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Homer Laurence Litzenberg, Jr. (MCSN: 0-3959), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea during the period from 21 September through 2 November 1950. (Colonel Litzenberg is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
November 29 – December 4, 1950
Headquarters, X Corps: General Orders No. 66 (December 15, 1950)The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel Homer Laurence Litzenberg, Jr. (MCSN: 0-3959), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea from 29 November to 4 December 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, Korea. Colonel Litzenberg’s actions contributed materially to the breakthrough of the Seventh Regiment in the Chosin Reservoir area and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
December 6 & 7, 1950
Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 1123 (November 5, 1951)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel Homer Laurence Litzenberg, Jr. (MCSN: 0-3959), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 6 and 7 December 1950. Confronted with tremendous difficulties imposed by several days of continuous fighting in subzero temperatures against a numerically superior enemy force which had severely depleted his Regiment, Colonel Litzenberg unhesitatingly proceeded to carry out his orders to attack from Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri and to join other units there. With the only route of attack blocked and strong elements of two hostile Divisions holding positions to his front and flanks, he skillfully directed his assault from a position exposed to vicious enemy artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire. Expertly supervising the care and evacuation of casualties and moving tirelessly among his men to inspire and exhort them to heroic efforts, he finally succeeded in pressing through to his objective with an offensive so devastating that the enemy was unable to recover rapidly enough to deliver concerted attacks against the flanks of the rear guard Regiment which followed his unit. His great personal courage, daring initiative and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Colonel Litzenberg and the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
November 12 – 19, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in addition to a Previously Awarded Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Homer Laurence Litzenberg, Jr. (MCSN: 0-3959), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 1 October 1950. While his regiment was advancing from Seoul to Uljongbu in an advance guard formation, the leading battalion was opposed by an estimated infantry battalion reinforced by anti-tank guns, tanks and heavy mortars. With the enemy unit entrenched in well-camouflaged positions and delivering heavy fire on the friendly elements, Colonel Litzenberg unhesitatingly moved forward to determine first-hand the nature and strength of the hostile forces. When the enemy launched a concerted counterattack supported y heavy mortar and anti-tank gun fire, he skillfully directed the employment of his units in the face of the heavy fire and effectively called for and controlled supporting fires to repulse the counterattack, thereby allowing his forces to continue their attack. By his aggressiveness, courageous leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Colonel Litzenberg served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.