Rex B. Springston

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Rex B. Springston, Master Sergeant, 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, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Springston distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Tumyong-dong, Korea, on 13 June 1951. Committed to secure the right finger of a strategic hill, Sergeant Springson’s platoon was subjected to intense mortar and artillery fire. When the bombardment lifted, grenade, machine-gun and small-arms fire rained down from well-fortified positions emplaced in the rugged terrain, causing the troops to falter. Rallying his comrades, Sergeant Springston boldly rushed up the hill, firing his carbine with deadly accuracy. When enemy fire threatened to halt the advance, he made a daring charge, wiping out the position and killing its four defenders. Although sustaining a severe wound in this encounter, Sergeant Springston continued his assault. He jumped into a trench, killed three enemy soldiers with grenades, and dispersed the remaining enemy soldiers. Pursuing the foe, he and his men succeeded in inflicting numerous casualties. After accomplishing the company’s mission, he launched a determined assault against a reinforced enemy squad, overrunning hostile positions and capturing the battalion’s objective.