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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Nicholas N. Gombos (ASN: 0-63100), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 1 September 1950 at Am-Dong, Korea. On 1 September 1950, Lieutenant Gombos was at a Forward Observation Post directing operations and tactical maneuvering of his battalion, which was being attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Perceiving that the sheer weight of the enemy onslaught was routing some of the troops in a disorganized manner, and was threatening the success of the initial defense, Lieutenant Gombos left the comparative safety of his position and intercepted the withdrawing troops. Reorganizing them, he then led them successfully in a counter-attack against the enemy. The troops under his command successfully manned their original positions and stemmed the tide of advance. Later on the same day, Lieutenant Gombos observed that one of his men was lying wounded in the line of enemy small arms and mortar fire. With complete disregard for personal safety and with devotion to a wounded comrade, he dashed forward through the intense enemy fire to assist the wounded soldier. A burst from an enemy machine gun struck Lieutenant Gombos in the head, rendering him unconscious. After treatment for his wounds at the aid station, Lieutenant Gombos, realizing the dire need for officers in his battalion, refused evacuation and returned to his duties, despite a painful wound. The gallantry and unremitting devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gombos on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 26 & 27, 1950
    General Headquarters Far East Command: General Orders No. 223 (September 2, 1951)

    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 Captain (Infantry) Nicholas Nick Gombos (ASN: 0-63100), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Captain Gombos distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Unbong-dong, Korea, on 26 and 27 November 1950. On that date, Captain Gombos’ company was occupying a front of more than 2000 yards in rugged mountainous terrain with under strength platoons deployed several hundred yards apart to cover all natural routes of enemy approach. At approximately 2320 hours, the enemy attacked in great strength, encircling the two forward platoons, overrunning the right flank of the support platoon, and subjecting the command post to heavy mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire. After reconnoitering the situation, Captain Gombos radioed his battalion commander for assistance and then, traversing the line of the support platoon, rallied and led an inspirational counterattack to reestablish the right flank. Returning to the command post, he organized all available men and rushed them into the line to reinforce the support platoon. When the mortar platoon leader was wounded, Captain Gombos ordered the 60-mm. mortars moved to his command post and, calmly directing retaliation fire, inflicted heavy casualties and repulsed the attack. Following this action, enemy counter-mortar fire neutralized the 60-mm. mortars, wounding several men. On 27 November 1950, at approximately 0200 hours, the enemy secured the crest of a high hill on the extreme right flank of the company, overlooking the command post, and brought three mortars to bear on the company’s 81-mm. mortars, neutralizing them and leaving the company without mortar support. Captain Gombos constantly braved withering fire as he moved among his men, directing and encouraging them and, dominating and controlling the critical situation through sheer force of his heroic example, succeeding in warding off the enemy throughout the night. At daybreak, Captain Gombos rallied and regrouped his depleted unit and led it in a daring, determined attack against the newly-acquired hostile positions, routing the enemy from the hill and regaining the strategic strongpoint. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Captain Gombos on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 16, 1950
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 114 (December 22, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Nicholas N. Gombos (ASN: 0-63100), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 16 September 1950 in the vicinity of Am-Sin, Korea. On this date his company was attacking the stubbornly defended positions on Hill 208. While leading his company during the early phase of the attack Captain Gombos was wounded in the side. Refusing to be evacuated, he continued to direct the attack from the leading elements. Shortly after two of his platoon leaders were wounded, he noticed that the aggressiveness of the attack was decreasing. Disregarding his painful wound, Captain Gombos moved to the center of his company and, with complete indifference for his own safety, reorganized the two leaderless platoons despite the intense enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire. He then led them in the attack upon the hill. Suffering a second wound, he again refused evacuation and continued to lead his company until the objective was taken and secured. Only then and at the direction of his Battalion Commander did he allow himself to be evacuated for medical treatment. The intrepid gallantry displayed by Captain Gombos on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.