John M. Dilieto

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to John M. Dilieto, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Dilieto distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea, on 20 May 1951. On that date, Private Dilieto’s platoon launched an assault against a well-entrenched and determined enemy force on Hill 420. Moving his machine-gun through heavy small-arms and automatic-weapons fire, he constantly raked the enemy with a steady stream of fire, forcing them to cover. After a series of forward displacements, his machine-gun developed a stoppage, thus enabling the enemy to take the initiative and halt the attack with a devastating barrage of machine-gun fire and grenades. Discarding the machine gun, he advanced with only his carbine and, despite the heavy volume of enemy fire, destroyed the main enemy strongpoint. Pressing on to the crest of the hill, he attacked another emplacement, but his weapon failed to function. Using his carbine as a club, he leaped into the foxhole and killed its occupants. His bold action enabled his comrades to renew the assault and drive the remaining enemy from the objective.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 633 (August 12, 1951)