Russell LEROY Huffman

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Russell Leroy Huffman (RA15263292), Sergeant 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 I, 3d Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Sergeant First Class Huffman distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kumwha, North Korea, on the night of 30 September 1952. On that night, Sergeant Huffman and his squad were manning an outpost position when numerically superior forces attacked their position with automatic weapons and grenades. Notifying his company of the situation, Sergeant Huffman was advised he could withdraw, but he chose to hold his position, despite the overwhelming enemy forces. In the vicious fire-fight that ensued, Sergeant Huffman was seriously wounded in the neck, head, hand, and thigh by a grenade, but without regard to his wounds he continually exposed himself to the enemy fire, moving among his men, expertly directing their fire and shouting encouragement. So accurate and deadly was the squad’s fire that the enemy attack was repulsed in complete disorganization, with a heavy toll of casualties. After the enemy forces were routed, Sergeant Huffman discovered his telephone had been destroyed by a grenade blast and dispatched a member of his squad to request ammunition, medical aid, and to inform the company of the situation. When medical aid arrived they determined Sergeant Huffman and two other wounded members of his squad would have to be evacuated. Although bleeding profusely from his painful wounds, Sergeant Huffman refused treatment until the other wounded were treated and safely evacuated.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 270 (March 10, 1953)