Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    11th Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    February 14, 1951

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 575 (June 16, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Harry Lee Stewart, Jr. (ASN: RA-38268196), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as the leader of a mortar squad. Corporal Stewart distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Wonju, Korea, on 14 February 1951. Corporal Steward was participating in a counterattack on a critically important hill defended by a numerically superior enemy force. In the initial phase of the attack, Corporal Stewart placed effective fire on the enemy position while manning a light machine-gun. Upon hearing the platoon leader order a rifleman to take the point in the attack, Corporal Stewart exchanged the weapon for a rifle and assumed the lead. As the company reached the summit of the hill, it was subjected to devastating machine-gun and grenade fire which inflicted heavy casualties. Realizing that the situation had reached a critical stage, Corporal Stewart again took the light machine-gun and advanced boldly up the hill directly into the enemy fire, firing the weapon from the hip. By skillful maneuvering, Corporal Stewart neutralized the machine-gun position, which provided the enemy’s best defense, and so demoralized the hostile troops that they fled down the reverse slope of the hill in disorder. Inspired by Corporal Stewart’s courageous charge, the other members of the company vigorously attacked the remaining enemy positions and recaptured the strategic hill. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Corporal Stewart on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.