Paul R. Spear

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Paul R. Spear (RA13319043), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Private Spear distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chonji, Korea, on 11 July 1950. On that date the 2d platoon of Company K was in a defensive position near the Company Command Post when a sudden burst of enemy machine-gun fire struck the Command Post. Private Spear located the machine-gun nest and, although armed only with a pistol, charged the enemy alone, firing his pistol. Even after expending all his ammunition, Private Spear continued his charge and closed with the enemy, using his empty pistol as a club. He had routed the enemy in the machine-gun nest when he was struck by fire from another gun and was seriously wounded.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 55 (September 7, 1950)