Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1953

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 978 (October 30, 1953)

    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 Sergeant Donald Harvey Bowser, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Squad Leader in an Infantry Company. Sergeant Bowser distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Pau-gol, Korea, on the morning of 15 July 1953. On that date, Sergeant Bowser was the leader of a squad which was completely isolated from the remainder of the United Nations forces when a numerically superior enemy element overran outpost. Although all but six men in his squad had been killed, Sergeant Bowser inspired his comrades to continue fighting against the great odds, moving his group from bunker to bunker in the face of the onrushing enemy. When further withdrawal became impossible, Sergeant Bowser position his men in a bunker and, for the next eleven hours, encouraged them in inflicting heavy casualties and in warding off the enemy. When the United Nations artillery laid down a smoke screen over the area, Sergeant Bowser ordered his men to withdraw. Remaining behind, he courageously picked up one of his companions who had been seriously wounded and carried him over four hundred yards through an intense barrage to the friendly lines. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Sergeant Bowser on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.