The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Lloyd K. Jenson (ASN: 0-59788), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. On that date he voluntarily led a task force, composed of infantry, tanks and antiaircraft firing vehicles, with the mission of driving the enemy from Hill 174. Approximately 400 yards from the objective, the task force encountered an enemy outpost and, under Major Jenson’s direction, inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy and forced them to withdraw. He realized, at this time, that it would be impossible to take the objective and decided to hold a ridge nearby to be used as a line of departure for a larger force. As a result of his initiative and complete disregard for his personal safety, the task force insured the success of the attack launched on the following day and enabled the assault elements to complete the mission with a minimum of casualties. The gallantry displayed by Major Jenson reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
23d Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 14 – 21, 1951
Headquarters, EIGHT U.S. Army Korea, General Orders No. 595 (July 28, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Lloyd K. Jenson (ASN: 0-59788), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Chau-ni, Korea, from 14 through 21 May 1951. During this period, the battalion was engaged in action with a savage and fanatical enemy force that was participating in the massive spring offensive launched by the Chinese Communist Forces. Utterly indifferent To the intense mortar barrages and succeeding attacks against the battalion positions, Major Jenson, with complete disregard for his personal safety, remained with the most forward elements of his battalion, encouraging his men and effectively directing their fire in defense of their positions. Inspired by the aggressive leadership and heroic actions of Major Jenson, the battalion steadfastly held its positions, even when infiltrating enemy forces reached the area occupied by friendly troops. When enemy elements succeeded in outflanking some of the battalion positions, he met them with fierce counterattacks, skillfully directing effective fire of his mortars and personally leading his reserves in repelling the enemy at bayonet point. The outstanding courage and aggressive leadership displayed by Major Jenson threw out the engagement, reflect great credit on himself and the military service.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
23d Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
August 31, 1950
Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 462 (August 16, 1952)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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Lloyd K. Jenson (ASN: 0-59788), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Executive Officer, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Jenson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Changyong, Korea, on 31 August 1950. Shortly after midnight on that date, Colonel Jenson commanded a task force with the mission of establishing a roadblock to halt an anticipated enemy attack on the regimental flank. Deploying his force with great skill, Colonel Jenson personally inspected the positions held by his men and then spent the remainder of the night reconnoitering every possible avenue of approach available to the enemy. When the advance guard of a large hostile force appeared on the scene the following morning, it was almost completely destroyed by the concentrated firepower of the firmly entrenched tank force. The remainder of the enemy force then launched a fanatical attack, but the friendly troops were prepared and, under the skilled leadership of Colonel Jenson, the assault was repulsed at great cost to the foe. Disregarding their heavy losses, the hostile troops threw themselves against the friendly defensive positions twice more, each time supported by heavy mortar and artillery fire. Exhibiting a matchless fighting spirit, Colonel Jenson, without regard for his personal safety, moved among his men, encouraging them and directing their fire with such skill that the numerically superior enemy force was pushed back repeatedly. When he observed a body of hostile troops moving to envelope the roadblock, he organized a small group of infantrymen and, with one tank, proceeded to an advantageous position from which he directed a deadly fusillade of fire, which ended the threat of encirclement. Through his courageous efforts the positions of the friendly troops remained secure against seemingly overwhelming odds. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Lieutenant Colonel on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Action Date:
June 1959 – August 1964
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Lloyd K. Jenson (ASN: 0-59788), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from June 1959 to August 1964. [This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to Colonel Jenson for meritorious service during the period 3 February 1962 to 25 May 1963 as announced in General Orders Number 65, Headquarters, 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides), Fort Hood, Texas, dated 3 June 1963, as amended by General Orders Number 103, Headquarters, 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides), Fort Hood, Texas, dated 6 September 1963 and the Army Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious service during the period July 1963 to September 1964 as announced in General Orders Number 8, Headquarters, Department of the Army, dated 9 March 1965.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
30th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
June 1, 1944
History of the 3d Infantry Division in World War II (Donald G. Taggart – Editor)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Lloyd K. Jenson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 1 June 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.