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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) William Henry Hotchkiss (ASN: 0-1339721), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Hotchkiss distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces along the Kum River north of Taejon, Korea, on 16 July 1950. On that date, Lieutenant Hotchkiss distinguished himself during an enemy attack on a defensive position held by his company. After several hours of intense fighting the enemy-occupied about a dozen foxholes in the company and had set up four machine-guns which were covering most of the company area. Lieutenant Hotchkiss, who was executive officer of the company, realizing the seriousness of the enemy position, voluntarily led a group of five men in an effort to drive the enemy out. He took an M-1 rifle and about one dozen grenades and began clearing the dike of all enemy. He would drop a grenade in foxholes containing enemy and fire his M-1 at those beyond range of grenades. During his assault he stopped long enough to bandage wounds of one of his men that had been hit by enemy fire. He then continued his assault on the enemy and always moving forward, had succeeded in destroying all the enemy except for one machine gun nest. At this time he was wounded in both legs by machine-gun fire. After he was wounded he continued firing from where he fell until he was finally killed by the enemy. His actions inspired the men in the platoon to drive the enemy from the platoon positions. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Hotchkiss on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

Awards Received