Isidro D. Urbano

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Isidro D. Urbano (0-1324892), First Lieutenant (Infantry), 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 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Urbano distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, on 18 September 1952. On that date, Lieutenant Urbano was leading a patrol that had been ordered to assault an enemy-held hill for the purpose of taking prisoners of war. As the group was approaching the objective, it was pinned down by an intense barrage of sniper, machine-gun, and mortar fire. In the devastating rain of fire, the patrol became disorganized and suffered numerous casualties. Disregarding his personal safety, Lieutenant Urbano moved among the men, reorganized them and encouraging them. He was preparing to move on to their objective when he received order from the battalion commander to withdraw. As he supervised the withdrawal, Lieutenant Urbano saw a wounded comrade lying in an exposed position. Unhesitatingly he moved towards the wounded man in an attempt to rescue him, firing his weapon at the enemy as ranks. Lieutenant Urbano almost reached his comrade when he was mortally wounded.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 507 (May 24, 1953)