Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 419 (June 10, 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 Major (Infantry) Leonard Lowry (ASN: 0-1302026), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Major Lowry distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Hoengsong, Korea, on 12 February 1951. On that date, Company C had the mission of covering the withdrawal of a road-bound artillery battalion along a road paralleled by enemy-infested hills and ridges. After ten consecutive hours of heavy fighting, during which Major Lowry heroically led his men in knocking out several enemy roadblocks designed to trap the battalion, the column reached the regimental assembly area and joined the 3d Battalion. As the two battalions began assembling and reorganizing, a strong enemy force occupying positions on a ridge adjacent to the assembly area placed a heavy barrage of mortar and automatic-weapons fire on the friendly troops, inflicting numerous casualties. Quickly organizing a group of men from his company, Major Lowry personally led them in an assault on the nearest enemy held hill and succeeded in killing the enemy occupying it. Although serious wounded during this engagement, he continued to lead his men in assaults on the others hills in the area until the entire ridge had been cleared of hostile forces. The superb leadership, extraordinary heroism and personal bravery under fire displayed by Major Lowry reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service of the United States.