Navy Federal Credit Union

Edward Cleaborn was wounded and listed as Missing in Action one month before his Distinguished Service Cross action, while fighting the enemy in Korea on July 20, 1950. He was recovered and returned to duty later that same day, and was Killed in Action earning the Distinguished Service Cross less than a month later.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    34th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 15, 1950

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 169 (November 13, 1950)

    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 Private Edward Oberon Cleaborn (ASN: RA-14325051), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Private Cleaborn distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kuri, Korea, on 15 August 1950. On this date, Private Cleaborn’s organization attacked a ridge on which the enemy was occupying well-prepared positions with excellent observation and fields of fire. In addition, some infiltration and flanking action by enemy troops had occurred and his platoon was pinned down almost immediately by machine-gun fire from the rear. Despite the extreme hazard from heavy interlacing machine-gun fire, Private Cleaborn gained the ridge and killed the machine-gun crews to the font and other enemy troops who attempted to re-man the guns. Disregarding burns on his hands from continuous firing when his platoon commenced a withdrawal, Private Cleaborn remained on the ridge to cover their withdrawal and permit the evacuation of the wounded. He continued firing from this position, thus denying the enemy access to adjacent high ground and was mortally wounded. Private Cleaborn’s heroic self-sacrifice permitted the withdrawal of his platoon to new positions. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Private Cleaborn reflects great credit on himself and the military service.