Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 904 (November 16, 1951)
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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Chester C. Brumet (ASN: 0-2020880), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company E, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Brumet distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yangimal, Korea, on 8 March 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Brumet led his platoon in an attack against the left flank of well-fortified enemy positions on Hill 281. As the men advanced, they were subjected to a heavy volume of automatic-weapons fire from the enemy. Completely disregarding the intense fire, Lieutenant Brumet maneuvered a machine-gun into an advantageous position from which, under his skillful direction, the enemy weapons were silenced. As the platoon renewed its assault and neared the objective, it was again subjected to intense enemy fire and was pinned down. Undaunted, Lieutenant Brumet exposed himself to the heavy fire and deployed his men to covered positions from which they could return fire. He then moved across the fire-swept terrain to a friendly tank and effectively directed its fire against the enemy emplacements, enabling his men to secure their objective. The enemy immediately launched a fierce counterattack. During this attack Lieutenant BRUMET observed an automatic rifleman lying wounded in an exposed position. Unhesitatingly, he moved to the wounded man’s side and carried him to safety. Returning to the exposed position, he began firing the automatic rifle at the onrushing enemy. His deadly accurate fire successfully broke up the counterattack and inflicted numerous casualties among the hostile troops. Lieutenant Brumet then reorganized his men despite a devastating mortar barrage concentrated on the friendly positions, and led them in an attack that completely demoralized the hostile troops and caused them to flee in disorder. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Brumet on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.