James T. Van Hove

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James T. Van Hove, 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. Sergeant Van Hove distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kowang-San, Korea, on 23 November 1951. On that date, the positions held by Sergeant Van Hove’s company were subjected to an intense enemy artillery barrage. Observing that the men about him were becoming confused by the heavy shelling, Sergeant Van Hove reorganized them and directed their fire against large numbers of the enemy where were now charging up the slope towards the friendly perimeter. Moving constantly among his men, reorganizing their positions and offering words of encouragement, he discovered that their supply of ammunition was dangerously low. Immediately, he led several men through the heavy fire to a supply point and returned with vitally needed ammunition. Upon reaching the positions held by his squad, Sergeant Van Hove observed several of the enemy attempting to breach the barbed wire before the friendly perimeter. Without hesitation, he seized an automatic rifle from the hands of a fallen comrade and moved forward, firing rapidly. His bold attack killed and wounded many of the enemy and eliminated the threat of a hostile penetration at that point. A short time later, the enemy massed before the perimeter and so, arming himself grenades, Sergeant Van Hove charged toward them, making such effective use of his grenades that six of the enemy were killed and three wounded. Through his inspiring leadership and fighting spirit, the hostile force was repulsed with heavy casualties.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 254 (May 19, 1952)