Edward T. Lydon

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Edward T. Lydon (RA43009153), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Lydon distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, on the morning of 19 November 1951. On that morning Sergeant Lydon led his platoon in an attack on a well-entrenched hostile force occupying a strategic hill. As the friendly troops advanced, they were pinned down by intense enemy mortar and automatic-weapons fire. Realizing that his men were at the mercy of the enemy guns in their present positions, Sergeant Lydon, without regard for his personal safety, raced across the fire-swept slope toward the nearest hostile emplacement. From an exposed position, he threw several grenades which destroyed the enemy weapon and killed its crew. With this threat eliminated his platoon resumed its advance but it had proceeded no more than fifty yards when was again halted by deadly accurate enemy fire. Once more, Sergeant Lydon moved forward in a single-handed assault. Despite the heavy enemy fire being concentrated on him, he reached a point within ten yards of the key hostile bunker. From this position, he destroyed the emplacement with grenades. As he exposed himself in order to shout words of encouragement to his men and rally them to the attack, he was hit and mortally wounded by enemy small arms fire. Inspired by his fighting spirit, the friendly force charged forward and routed the hostile troops from the hill with heavy casualties.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 281 (April 26, 1952)