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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard Andrew Koldenhoven, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Koldenhoven distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Saoring-chi, Korea, on 17 May 1951. On the night of 17 May 1951, the enemy launched a desperate offensive against friendly positions. Lieutenant Koldenhoven’s company was well out in front of the main line of resistance where it bore the brunt of many fanatical attacks. Later, when the numerically superior enemy cut off segments of his company, which he was leading to a predetermined position, Lieutenant Koldenhoven, realizing that only the most drastic action could check the hostile advance and save his greatly outnumbered company from annihilation, unhesitatingly called for artillery fire to be brought on his own position. He then ordered the two platoons that were with him to withdraw to an assembly area while he proceeded through the artillery barrage to reach the remainder of his beleaguered company. Heedless of the murderous fire sweeping the entire area, he calmly rallied his scattered men and withdrew them from the trap. After reorganizing his company, in a display of dauntless courage and inspirational leadership, he again led his men against the enemy, personally deploying his platoons and squads and encouraging his men to hold their positions. His gallant and determined efforts in the face of tremendous odds prevented the enemy hordes from encircling and annihilating the entire battalion and enabled the friendly troops to recover from the fierce hostile onslaughts and repulse the enemy. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Koldenhoven 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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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
August 27, 1951
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 846 (December 12, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Richard A. Koldenhoven (ASN: 0-1332972), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 27 August 1951 in the vicinity of Hill 754, Korea. On that date Company G was defending its position on a dominating hill against the assaults of a numerically superior enemy force. Captain Koldenhoven inspired his men by his intrepid heroism in exposing himself to the intense enemy fire in order to direct effective fire on the assaulting hostile force. In the course of this action, the unit was subjected to heavy fire on its flank when an adjacent unit was forced to withdraw. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Captain Koldenhoven ordered his men to withdraw while he remained behind and supervised the withdrawal. Continually exposing himself to the hostile fire, he directed a machine gun section in providing covering fire for his men and did not leave his position until all of them had reached safety. Through his courageous and selfless actions his unit withdrew with a minimum of casualties while the enemy suffered great losses. The gallantry in action and outstanding leadership displayed by Captain Koldenhoven on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 14, 1951
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 124 (May 30, 1951)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard A. Koldenhoven (ASN: 0-1332972), United States Army, for heroic achievement on 14 March 1951 in the vicinity of Yulsil-li, Korea. Company G, in which Lieutenant Koldenhoven was serving as weapons platoon leader, was attacking an enemy entrenched on the mountain sides. Although from his advantageous position the enemy was delivering heavy and accurate mortar and small arms fire on the friendly troops, causing heavy losses and temporarily disrupting the attack, Lieutenant Koldenhoven calmly guided the fire of his platoon and directed the administering of fist aid to the wounded at the same time. Fully exposed to the intense enemy fire, he organized his men into an effective fire unit which brought such accurate fire to bear upon the enemy as to force the latter to withdraw and to enable the company to advance speedily to its objective. The outstanding courage and leadership displayed by Lieutenant Koldenhoven reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.