Joseph L. Mentrie

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Joseph L. Mentrie (RA12307346), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 29 April 1951, near Seoul, Korea, a squad of C Company’s Third Platoon, led by Private Mentrie, was ordered to secure a commanding hill upon which the enemy was entrenched. As the squad moved forward, it was temporarily pinned down by the hostile fire, but under Private Mentrie’s fearless direction, it was able to place devastating counterfire upon the foe and continue on. Meeting an enemy counterattack, whose component greatly outnumbered the squad, it fell back expediently and Private Mentrie covered the withdrawal, completely ignoring the proximity of the hostile force. Later in the action, during a general assault, he ordered the men to fix bayonets and charge enemy positions along a narrow ridge, leading the attack and moving forward to personally destroy four hostile entrenchments with accurate throwing of hand grenades. Ignoring his exposed position and the concentrated enemy fire, he then placed his men in advantageous positions, distributing ammunition to them. The neutralization of the hostile emplacements and the favorable location of his squad inflicted many casualties on the enemy and enabled the company to win the engagement. Private Mentrie’s outstanding tactical skill, aggressive leadership and gallant courage reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.