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 Lawrence Edward Jerrell (ASN: RA-16254406), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Corporal Jerrell distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Tang Won-ni, Korea, on 7 September 1951. On that date, Corporal Jerrell and his squad were part of a friendly force holding a strategic hill position. Although the hill was subjected to a devastating mortar and artillery barrage by the enemy, he constantly exposed himself in order to move among his men, shouting words of encouragement and supervising the evacuation of the wounded. When the artillery barrage lifted, the hostile force launched a fanatical assault against the friendly troops. Because of his personal contact with his men, they met this attack with great self-assurance. In the initial phase of this assault, Corporal Jerrell shared a position with four of his men. The enemy immediately began hurling grenades in an effort to neutralize the deadly accurate fire pouring from the emplacement. With a total disregard for his personal safety, Corporal Jerrell gabbed three of the grenades which had fallen into the position and threw them back at the enemy, thus saving he lives of his comrades. At this point in the battle, a machine-gun, brought forward to replace a weapon which had been disabled by enemy fire, failed to function. Realizing that this weapon was vitally necessary to repulse the repeated hostile attacks, Corporal Jerrell rushed across the fire-swept terrain to the machine-gun and put it back into operation. When the order to withdraw was given, he had been serious wounded by a bursting shell. Although he attempted to remain at the machine-gun to cover the withdrawal of his comrades, the friendly troops placed him on a litter and proceeded to evacuate him, but he died of his wounds before his men could reach the friendly positions. The extraordinary heroism and noble self-sacrifice displayed by Corporal Jerrell on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

Awards Received