Florentino Gonsalez

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Florentino Gonsalez (RA12299298), 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 the Company B, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Private First Class Gonsalez distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chonan, Korea, on 5 July 1950. During an enemy attack which had been in progress for a period of seven hours against overwhelming odds, his unit was ordered to withdraw as their ammunition was almost depleted. With no regard for his own personal safety, he volunteered to stay at his position and continue to fire his machine-gun to cover the withdrawal of his unit and to protect his assistant machine-gunner, who had been seriously wounded. His position was under intense small arms, machine-gun, and artillery fire, and while covering the withdrawal of his unit he was also wounded. Undaunted, he continued to deliver effective fire on the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. He was last seen when his position was overrun by the enemy.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 12 (July 28, 1950)