Navy Federal Credit Union

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) Jansen Calvin Cox (ASN: 0-2202011), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Osan, Korea, on 5 July 1950. During an attack by an enemy tank column, he unhesitatingly organized several bazooka teams and personally led the attack. Reaching a vantage point adjacent to and overlooking the roadway, he successfully destroyed one of the tanks. Through the accuracy and volume of his team’s fire, several tanks were disabled and the enemy partially disorganized. When encircled by the hostile forces, he successfully led his party back to the relative safety of their own lines. Although greatly outnumbered by the hard-pressing enemy, Lieutenant Cox continuously remained exposed to their fire; hauled vitally needed ammunition to the defending infantry positions and aided materially in directing of the effective friendly fire. Later, during the battalion’s withdrawal to new tenable positions, he fearlessly manned a .50 caliber machine gun to assure the safety of his troops. His courage, gallantry and unhesitant devotion to duty assured a minimum of casualties to the troops and reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the United States Infantry.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Korean War)

    Action Date:

    July 5, 1950 – MIA In Captivity

    Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office

    First Lieutenant (Infantry) Jansen Calvin Cox (ASN: 0-02202011), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured on 5 July 1950 during the Korean War. He was unaccounted for after the war and is presumed to have died or been killed while in captivity.