Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward Gerard Flanagan (ASN: 0-2021208), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Flanagan distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Satae-ri, Korea, on the morning of 13 October 1952. On that morning, Lieutenant Flanagan was leading a patrol in a raid on heavily fortified enemy positions on a tactically important hill. In the early stages of the assault, the friendly infantrymen were subjected to an intense volume of hostile small-arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. Painfully wounded in the abdomen, Lieutenant Flanagan refused to return to friendly lines. Instead, he continued to advance at the head of his men, leading them through a hail of fire to their objective. Then, while demolition crews placed explosive charges near the hostile fortifications, he charged forward alone in order to distract the enemy. Large numbers of hostile troops left their positions and swarmed towards him, but he single-handedly fought them back, killing at least five of the foe in a pitched, close-range battle. He continued to repulse the enemy until a hostile mortar round landed near his position, killing him instantly. Lieutenant Flanagan’s extraordinary heroism and noble self-sacrifice enabled the patrol to accomplish its mission, and was in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

Awards Received