Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    65th Engineer Combat Battalion

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 19, 1950

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 77 (September 23, 1950)

    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 William C. Barker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a medical aidman with Company B, 65th Engineer Combat Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Barker distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chungam-ni, Korea, on 19 August 1950. Throughout the day the enemy launched repeated fanatical attacks against the strategic position held by Company B. During the battle, which raged for eight hours, Sergeant Barker made repeated trips over mountainous terrain exposed to concentrated enemy automatic weapons fire to evacuate wounded. In the final stages of the battle, when overwhelming hostile forces penetrated the company position and the order to withdraw was given, Sergeant Barker, heedless of the intense enemy fire, remained in a forward position and administered first aid to one of the wounded. When he had finished dressing the wounds the company had withdrawn; Sergeant Barker, unassisted, evacuated the wounded man down a treacherous slope to safety. The extraordinary heroism of Sergeant Barker reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.