Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Regiment:

    180th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    45th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 14, 1952

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 587 (September 29, 1952)

    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 Private First Class Raphael John Sullivan, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company K, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Private First Class Sullivan distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Tumyong-dong, Korea, on the morning of 14 June 1952. On that date, Private Sullivan volunteered to neutralize a group of fanatical enemy troops who had inflicted heavy casualties on a friendly force. Deeply entrenched in six caves, the foe was pouring forth a murderous volume of small-arms and machine-gun fire, and constituted a serious threat to the security of the friendly lines. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Private Sullivan moved through the deadly hostile fire to the caves. While the enemy concentrated a fusillade of automatic-weapons fire upon him and sent forth a shower of grenades, he entered the first cave and successfully placed an explosive charge which destroyed the hostile troops inside. With the utmost coolness in the face of extreme danger, he then proceeded to the second cave and, despite the heavy close-range fire, placed another charge of explosives. On entering the third cave he was painfully wounded in the face, but nevertheless continued his exceedingly hazardous mission, returning to his unit only after he had entered and placed a destructive charge in each of the six caves. His exceptionally courageous actions resulted in the death of approximately twenty-eight enemy troops and enabled his company to secure a hill of great strategic importance. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Private First Class Sullivan on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.