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 Corporal Jack Korakian (ASN: US-55046685), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Corporal Korakian distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Hyoryongdae, Korea, on 23 January 1952. On that date, Corporal Korakian was accompanying a squad as it moved along the saddle of a hill when it was subjected to intense enemy fire and an almost continuous rain of grenades. Snipers on the heights to the rear and on the flanks of the squad further harassed the friendly troops and, in the ensuing struggle, the squad leader was seriously wounded. Corporal Korakian immediately assumed command and proceeded to organize an orderly withdrawal. Under his capable direction, the men began the perilous descent from the hill but one particular enemy bunker with a clear field of fire made their retrograde movement almost impossible. Determined to silence the nearby enemy emplacement in an effort to save his men from annihilation, Corporal Korakian appointed a rifleman to render covering fire and then, in a single-handed assault, he charged directly into the heavy enemy fire toward the bunker. Before he could reach it, he was stopped by a wound in his chest. Undaunted, he remained in an exposed position and poured a deadly accurate stream of rifle fire into the position and, at the same time, directed his men to resume their withdrawal. Although seriously weakened by his painful wound, Corporal Korakian remained in his position, firing at the enemy, until he was sure that his comrades had reached safety. Only then did he laboriously make his way to them under the heavy enemy fire. Upon reaching friendly positions, he succumbed to his wound. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Corporal Korakian on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

Awards Received