Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 602 (August 1, 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 Captain (Armor) Raymond Monroe Riggsby, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 79th Medium Tank Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Riggsby distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Pealtang-ni, Korea, from 7 through 9 March 1951. On 7 March 1951, he was commanding a composite tank company supporting the 24th Infantry Regiment in an amphibious crossing of the Han River. Realizing that the supported rifle companies were engaged with a numerically superior enemy force, he maneuvered his tanks to within fifteen feet of the hostile positions, rendering extremely close support to the hard-pressed infantrymen. While engaged in clearing a ridge which was the regiment’s objective, he observed a large number of enemy troops running to the next ridge. Without waiting to advise the infantry units of his contemplated action, he led his tanks in pursuit of the retreating enemy, killing approximately 150 before being ordered to return to the friendly positions. The aggressive leadership of Captain Riggsby resulted in the regiment successfully completing its mission and in inflicting tremendous casualties on the hostile force. The extraordinary heroism and inspirational leadership displayed by Captain Riggsby on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.