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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant [then Corporal] John R. Ruth (ASN: ER-17227905), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 25 May 1951, in the vicinity of Chaun-ni, Korea. On that date, Sergeant Ruth was a squad leader in the 1st Platoon whose mission was to hold the high ground north of the Sayang-gang River while an engineer unit attempted to build a bridge across the river. The platoon was ambushed at an enemy roadblock while en route to its position, and was subjected to intense rifle, automatic weapons, and bazooka crossfire from three directions. When the leading tank, on which Sergeant Ruth had been riding, was hit by a Bangalore torpedo, several of the crew were injured. Immediately, Sergeant Ruth without regard for his personal safety, exposed himself to the enemy fire and manned first the tank’s .50 caliber and then the .30 caliber machine gun until the ammunition was exhausted. After approximately two hours of action in this tank, he moved to an abandoned engineer unit’s truck and fired the machine gun while his platoon leader drove the truck to safety. Sergeant Ruth suffered two minor wounds during this engagement but refused treatment. Instead, he retrieved a wounded comrade’s rifle and returned to the scene of fire. His action was directly responsible for an un-estimated number of enemy casualties. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Ruth on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 27, 1951
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 89 (October 3, 1952)

    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 John Roman Ruth (ASN: ER-17227905), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Sergeant Ruth distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Inje, Korea, on 27 May 1951. As the leader of one of two squads assigned the mission of securing Hill 592, Sergeant Ruth and his squad were approaching the objective when they came under heavy mortar fire which killed two members of his squad. Despite this fire, he led his men forward. As he and two other members of his squad gained the crest of the hill, they were met by automatic-weapons and grenade fire of an enemy force well-entrenched on the reverse slope of the hill. Although painfully wounded, he rushed toward the enemy, firing an automatic rifle as he advanced. When he had fired all his ammunition he continued to advance, throwing grenades and rocks until he fell mortally wounded. Sergeant Ruth’s heroic action was chiefly responsible for the subsequent capture of the hill by the remainder of the two squads. After the action 23 enemy dead were found in the immediate vicinity of Sergeant Ruth’s advance. Sergeant Ruth’s indomitable courage and inspiring leadership are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.