Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 796 (August 29, 1953)
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) Jack L. Conn (ASN: 0-66143), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Conn distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sanggamnyong, Korea, on 20 October 1952. On that night, Lieutenant Conn assumed command of a company whose commanding officer had been wounded and evacuated. Lieutenant Conn led the unit under heavy enemy fire to occupy newly-won positions which were being subjected to counter-attack. The only route to the position was along a narrow path under enemy fire. Without thought for his personal safety, Lieutenant Conn led the men toward their objective. When they became disorganized as a result of heavy concentrated fire, he moved among them, bolstering their morale and urging them forward. While doing this, Lieutenant Conn was wounded in the face, back and legs. Despite the pain from his wounds, he refused evacuation and remained with his men, receiving only such medical attention as could be rendered by the company aidman. Throughout the action, Lieutenant Conn continued to expose himself to hostile fire in order to encourage the men and coordinate their movements. Not until he was assured that the mission had been accomplished and that the position was adequately defended did he consent to be evacuated. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Conn on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.