Navy Federal Credit Union

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 (Infantry) Morgan Berwell Hansel (ASN: 0-1825120), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. When the regimental command post in the vicinity of Kegan-ni, Korea, was attacked on 10 August 1950 by a hostile force superior in numbers and fire power, Lieutenant Hansel organized a rocket launching team. Leading the team to an advantageous position, he directed rocket fire on and neutralized an enemy machine gun emplacement. When a hostile group was observed entering a village near the command post, he obtained automatic weapons and organized an assault force. Heedless of he concentrated fire, he led them in an attack which cleared the village of enemy troops. Lieutenant Hansel’s courage, exemplary leadership and staunch devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry)

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    November 3 & 4, 1950

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 397 (June 4, 1951)

    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 (Infantry) Morgan Bernell Hansel (ASN: 0-1825120), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Hansel distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kunu-ri, Korea, on 3 and 4 November 1950. When his unit was heavily engaged in trying to seize and hold vital high ground, Lieutenant Hansel noticed that the platoon on his right flank was receiving very heavy enemy machine-gun and automatic-weapons fire and was rapidly becoming disorganized. He left his position of relative safety and made his way out to them under a hail of fire to effect their reorganization. Locating the enemy machine-gun and automatic weapons that were firing upon the platoon with such telling effect, Lieutenant Hansel arose to his feet and, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, charged the enemy emplacements single-handed, armed only with his carbine. He succeeded in reaching the hostile positions and killed the machine-gunner, giving almost instant respite to our forces, but in the ensuing, action he was mortally wounded by one of the remaining enemy automatic riflemen. Because of First Lieutenant Hansel’s heroic attack despite the great odds and his gallant sacrifice, the endangered troops were able to complete their reorganization and rout the enemy from their positions. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Hansel on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.