Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Charles Freeman Carroll (ASN: RA-38612724), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with the 72d Engineer Combat Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 24th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Carroll distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumchon, Korea, on 26 September 1950. During a combined infantry-tank attack against fierce enemy opposition, the tanks were held up by a roadblock consisting of antitank mines and enemy machine-gun emplacements. Voluntarily and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant First Class Carroll made his way out in front of the lead tank and began to remove the mines, heedless of the heavy volume of enemy fire. Tenaciously, he continued to remove the mines until he was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of grave danger were an inspiration to the men and enabled them to continue their attack and destroy the enemy without undue casualties to themselves. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Sergeant First Class Carroll on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

Awards Received