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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 First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Ward Orville Neville (ASN: 0-1112888), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Company B, 3rd Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in action on 12 July 1950 near Chongju, Korea. The First Platoon of Company C, commanded by Lieutenant Neville, was performing the mission of laying anti-tank mine fields and preparing two road bridges for demolition in front of the 21st Infantry Regiment. After completing this mission he took one squad forward to place a new mine field when he noticed approximately three hundred enemy troops approaching his position. With disregard for his own safety Lieutenant Neville continued laying the mine field and then withdrew the squad and the remainder of the platoon and blew the bridges they had previously mined. During the withdrawal he had to take his platoon and its organic transportation through approximately twenty miles of enemy occupied territory. Due to his leadership and devotion to duty he was able to lead his platoon to safety and avoid possible capture. The act of gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Neville reflects great credit on himself and the military service.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers)

    Batallion:

    3d Engineer Combat Battalion

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 8, 1950
    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 221 (November 13, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Ward Orville Neville (ASN: 0-1112888), United States Army, for heroic achievement while serving as a member of Company B, 3rd Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, on 8 July 1950 near Chochiwon, Korea. Hard pressed by a determined and numerically superior enemy, friendly troops were forced to evacuate their positions in face of the increasing superior fire power of the enemy. Given the mission of destroying a bridge after the crossing by the friendly troops, Lieutenant Neville exposed himself to the withering enemy fire with complete disregard for his own safety, prepared the bridge for demolition, and destroyed it in the face of the enemy advance. This courageous action deprived the enemy of a route to pursue their attack on the friendly forces and permitted the troops to evacuate their untenable position with a minimum of casualties. The heroism and unselfish devotion to duty of Lieutenant Neville reflect great credit on himself and the military service.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers)

    Batallion:

    3d Engineer Combat Battalion

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 11, 1950
    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 110 (October 11, 1950)

    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 First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Ward Orville Neville (ASN: 0-1112888), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 3d Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Neville distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Hill 207 in the Republic of Korea on 11 August 1950. Lieutenant Neville volunteered to lead a hazardous patrol across the Naktong River and five thousand yards into enemy-held territory with the mission of observing enemy movement, strength, and location. At 1700 hours on 11 August 1950, the patrol, consisting of Lieutenant Neville and thirteen enlisted men, was attacked by a force of an estimated two hundred enemy riflemen. Lieutenant Neville, realizing the impossible odds with which his patrol was confronted, decided upon a desperate course of action. He personally led his patrol through a hail of enemy fire to the west, one thousand yards farther into enemy territory, to the east bank of the Hoechon River, without casualties. Upon arriving at the Hoechon River, the patrol was fired upon from the North and South by an estimated one hundred enemy riflemen. Lieutenant Neville was shot through the right leg and immobilized and three of his patrol were mortally wounded. Vehemently refusing assistance from any of his patrol members, he directed them across the river and, after most had crossed, he dragged himself through the river to the west bank. During this time he was constantly ordering his patrol to shoot into the areas from which the heaviest enemy fire was coning and urging them on, lest they be captured. Lieutenant Neville, mortally wounded, dragged himself into a rice paddy and was last seen with a grenade in his hand, urging the patrol on to safety. His utter refusal of assistance from his patrol after he was wounded made it possible for five members of the patrol to return to friendly lines and safety. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Neville on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.