The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) John E. Emerson, Jr. (ASN: 0-1289711), 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, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Captain Emerson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kujan-dong, Korea, 26 November 1950. Captain Emerson, assigned the mission of attacking an enemy-held hill, led his men in seven daring charges against the enemy positions, inflicting heavy casualties on the hostile troops. As he was reforming his men for another charge, an estimated two enemy companies attacked the flanks of his unit. While repulsing this attack, Captain Emerson received orders to withdraw. Finding that the withdrawal route had been cut off by a third enemy company, he personally led his men in a bayonet assault on the hostile troops and broke through to a defensive position occupied by another company of the regiment and a platoon of tanks. When this position came under attack, Captain Emerson mounted one of the tanks and as enemy bullets ricocheted off the turret, fired the tank machine-gun with deadly accuracy until the supply of ammunition was exhausted. The resolute leadership and indomitable courage of Captain Emerson were instrumental in thwarting the attempts of the enemy to break through the defensive perimeter and encircle the friendly troops. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Captain Emerson on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry), [then Warrant Officer Junior Grade]Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
23d Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 7, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 85 (April 22, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry), [then Warrant Officer Junior Grade] John E. Emerson, Jr. (ASN: 0-1289711), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 2d Battalion, [then Company G), 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, on 7 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. Company G was subjected to heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire and immediately thereafter was attacked in strength. Numerically superior enemy forces, using automatic weapons and grenades, penetrated the positions of one of the platoons. During the action the company commander was wounded. As the only remaining officer in the company, Captain Emerson assumed command and immediately organized his headquarters personnel and several newly assigned Republic of Korea soldiers into an attacking force. He then launched a counterattack against the enemy who had breached the company’s lines and by a forceful display of leadership and personal courage led his group in a charge which drove the enemy from the position. He then reorganized his lines and directed his troops as they drove the enemy by fire from forward of his positions. The gallantry displayed by Captain Emerson reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Warrant Officer, Junior GradeBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
23d Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 19, 1950
Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 197 (1951)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Warrant Officer, Junior Grade John E. Emerson, Jr. (ASN: 0-1289711), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea on 19 September 1950. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.