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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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Claude Rhea Walls (ASN: RA-14346166), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Sergeant Walls distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mug-gol, Korea, on 18 May 1951. On that date, the 2d Platoon of Company C had the mission of protecting the forward battalion command post and was deployed on a ridge to the front of the command post. Sergeant Walls, a member of the platoon, was at the observation post of the platoon when a numerically superior enemy force launched a sudden, ferocious attack against the ridge. Armed with an automatic rifle, Sergeant Walls swept the assaulting force with withering automatic-rifle fire, inflicting numerous casualties on the enemy and halting the attack before withdrawing to the platoon perimeter. When the hostile force launched a second attack, the platoon was cut off from the battalion and forced to withdraw in order to reestablish contact. Sergeant Walls and one comrade voluntarily remained in position to cover the withdrawal of the platoon. As the enemy approached to within grenade range of his position, Sergeant Walls leaped from his foxhole and began hurling grenades at the advancing enemy and raking them with deadly automatic-rifle fire. When his comrade was wounded by enemy fire, Sergeant Walls rushed to him, rendered first aid and then began carrying him to safety, stopping every few yards to deliver devastating fire on the enemy. The aggressive actions of Sergeant Walls during his fearless two-hour stand against numerically overwhelming odds enabled his platoon to establish more favorable positions and reorganize for renewed and successful defensive action. The extraordinary heroism of Sergeant Walls reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 30, 1950
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 124 (May 30, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Claude R. Walls (ASN: RA-14346166), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 30 November 1950 in the vicinity of Yongwon-ni, Korea. An undetermined number of the enemy was in position along the road on which the 2d Infantry Division was moving, and was delivering an intense amount of small arms and automatic weapons fire on the convoy. Dismounting from his vehicle, Private Wells advanced steadily in the face of the enemy fire and, on his own initiative, took command of an element of one of the squads in his platoon. After clearing one ridge of the enemy, he assaulted other enemy positions and succeeded in destroying an enemy light machine gun and killing several enemy riflemen. The gallant conduct displayed by Private Walls reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.