Ralph S. Gustin
Home Town: St. Joseph, Indiana
Status: KIA
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 89 (October 1, 1950) | General Orders No. 89 (October 1, 1950)
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Ralph S. Gustin (0-60851), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Gustin distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Haman, Korea, on 11 August 1950. On that date, Lieutenant Gustin’s platoon was attacked by an enemy superior in both numbers and firepower. Heedless of the intense fire, he moved quickly and continuously among his men, encouraging them and directing their action. By employing his squad with great skill and setting for them a notable example of personal bravery, he enabled the unit to hold its position and inflict severe casualties on the foe until withdrawal was mandatory because of the overwhelming number of the enemy. Having determined the method and supervised the start of an orderly displacement, he remained firing into the onrushing enemy to cover the unit until he was mortally wounded.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 89 (October 1, 1950)
