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) Ernest J. Schauer (ASN: 0-1315103), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer, Company G, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 12 September 1950 in the vicinity of Sibi-Ri, Korea. On this date, he was assigned the mission of attacking and destroying a large group of enemy troops who had infiltrated to rear positions and offered a serious threat to the security of key rear installations. By rapid and ingenious deployment of his troops, he placed the enemy in a position through which there was no avenue of escape. In the ensuing battle, Captain Schauer, with utter disregard for personal safety, dashed through intense enemy machine gun and small arms fire from position to position, maintaining complete control over a highly maneuverable situation. Foreseeing every attempt on the part of the enemy to escape the ambush, he was able to block every avenue of escape. His audacity and daring courage in continually exposing himself to enemy fire in order to maintain control of the situation were an inspiration to the men of his command. Under his skillful and courageous leadership his company inflicted a total of 71 casualties upon the enemy, while they themselves went unscathed. The intrepid gallantry, ingenuity, and tactical ability displayed by Captain Schauer on this occasion provide a lasting tribute to himself and the Infantry.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Division:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 10, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain (Infantry) Ernest Julius Schauer (ASN: 0-1315103), United States Army, for heroic achievement on 10 September 1950 at Changnyong, Korea. Captain Schauer was given the mission of clearing the town of Changnyong of civilians and refugees. The enemy had broken through the Naktong River defenses and was infiltrating into the town. Captain Schauer, knowing that all civilians found in the town after dark would be fired upon, proceeded to clear the town. Despite enemy sniper fire, mines, booby traps and other obstructions he searched out buildings and formed an orderly evacuation of all civilians. The company, hesitant at first of the clearing process, was inspired by his fearlessness and courage and under sniper fire rapidly cleared the town of civilians. As a result of his thorough search of the town several thousand civilians were evacuated to safety. The heroism displayed by Captain Schauer reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 6, 1950
Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 136 (October 26, 1950)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Ernest J. Schauer (ASN: 0-1315103), 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 G, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Captain Schauer distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sibi-ri, Korea, on 6 September 1950. On this date Captain Schauer was assigned the mission of utilizing his company in an attack to seize and hold a strategic hill, defended by a well-entrenched, numerically superior enemy force. In the face of intense enemy automatic weapons fire and grenades, Captain Schauer’s lead platoons were twice forced to withdraw with heavy casualties. While assisting in the evacuation of wounded under the intense enemy fire, he found that the success of his mission was seriously endangered due to the threatened disorderly withdrawal of his men. Returning to the rear of his retreating troops, he reorganized them and personally led a third attack up the hill in the face of bitter resistance. When the aggressiveness of the attack began to weaken, and it became apparent that the attack would again fail, Captain Schauer, with a view to instilling courage in his disheartened troops, leaped up and dashed forward into the very face of the enemy positions, hurling grenades and sweeping the area with bursts of fire from his automatic weapon. Captain Schauer’s troops, inspired by his actions and evident disregard for personal safety, rallied to overrun the enemy positions and successfully accomplished their mission. By his actions, an untold number of men, wounded and unable to withdraw, were saved. Captain Schauer’s total disregard for personal safety and willingness to exercise the rare prerogative of self-sacrifice, instilled in his men a brand of courage that enabled them to accomplish their mission in the face of overwhelming odds. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Captain Schauer on this occasion reflects the highest credit on himself and the military service.