John HENRY Nelson

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to John Henry Nelson (0-974417), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Captain Nelson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Majen-ni, Korea, on the night of 14 – 15 February 1951. On that night, Company F was assigned the mission of recapturing Hill 325. After three unsuccessful attempts to capture the strongly defended enemy positions located on strategic high ground, Captain Nelson personally led his company in another assault at daybreak. Displaying outstanding courage and dogged determination Captain Nelson, heedless of the intense enemy fire and completely disregarding his personal safety, charged the enemy positions firing his weapon and throwing grenades into enemy entrenchments. Inspired by the daring actions and courageous example of Captain Nelson, the men of Company F dislodged the enemy and drove them off the hill. Immediately after seizure of the objective and while still under intense enemy mortar fire, Captain Nelson ran from man to man designating fields of fire and offering words of encouragement. Through his daring exploits he continued to rouse his men to their maximum effort until he was killed by a burst of enemy mortar fire.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 359 (May 27, 1951)