Romeo H. Bucknell, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Second Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Silver Star Medal to Romeo H. Bucknell, Jr. (0-1330151), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 4 June 1951, Company A was assigned the mission of capturing Hill 466, near Unchon-ni, Korea, after another company, suffering a large number of casualties, had failed to gain the objective. The route to the objective was zeroed in by the enemy artillery and snipers were known to be deployed at strategic points, making any advance extremely hazardous. Lieutenant Bucknell, although constantly exposed to the heavy artillery barrage, aggressively led his company forward and going from man to man, encouraged each one to maintain the steady advance until the company, although having sustained many casualties, succeeded in reaching its goal. Almost immediately, the enemy launched a vicious counterattack, blasting the hill with a rain of hand grenades which wounded two of the company’s platoon leaders and several of the ranking non-commissioned officers, depriving the unit of much of its essential leadership. Lieutenant Bucknell, seriously handicapped by this and yet possessed with a fierce determination to hold the objective, reorganized his casualty riddled company by personally placing men in important positions. Ordering them to hold firmly, he continued to move about the perimeter, urging and inspiring his men with his exemplary courage and disregard for his own well-being. During the night and the following morning the enemy, in groups of 40 and 50, attempted several assaults but the company, bolstered by Lieutenant Bucknell’s tenacity and vocal reassurance, repeatedly repelled these attacks. Throughout the engagement the valiant officer, although slightly wounded, was always in the thick of the battle giving first aid, evacuating the wounded, carrying ammunition, and laying sound wire, all necessary in aiding the company to hold its ground. This containing action paved the way for the withdrawal of a friendly battalion on the left flank and prevented the enemy from jeopardizing the 1st Battalion, of which Company A was a part. That the company mission was so outstandingly successful despite many handicaps is due directly to Lieutenant Bucknell’s resolute leadership, bold aggressiveness, and superb gallantry reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting an Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Silver Star Medal to Romeo H. Bucknell, Jr. (0-1330151), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Upon arrival in a defensive position near Ckuyuo, Korea, on 25 April 1951, Company A was ordered to seize the high ground to the immediate east, the occupation of which area by the enemy would have placed the defensive position of other friendly units in grave danger. After reaching its objective the company became engaged in a fierce battle with a large enemy force. Early in the fight, Lieutenant Bucknell, learning that a platoon leader had been wounded, voluntarily crawled forward under heavy enemy fire and assisted the wounded officer to safety. Later, he received word that a group of men were wounded and again risking his personal safety, he proceeded toward their position and directed the evacuation of the injured. Despite the bitter fire of several enemy machine guns, Lieutenant Bucknell successfully led the litter bearers to the wounded and physically assisted in their evacuation from the scene of battle. These hazardous duties safely accomplished, he returned to his platoon to encourage his men and helped distribute vitally needed ammunition among them. Lieutenant Bucknell’s selfless acts of gallantry reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Romeo H. Bucknell, Jr. (0-1330151), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 19 March 1951, near Yuman-ni, Korea, First Lieutenant Bucknell, commanding a Battle Patrol Platoon of Company B, fearlessly led his unit in an assault against a numerically superior and entrenched enemy force on Hill 114. Fully exposing himself at all times to the withering hostile fire, he was twice wounded; but undaunted, routing the enemy from the hill. Only after the objective had been secured and he had defensively deployed the platoon did he accept medical treatment for his wounds. The gallant leadership and courage exhibited by First Lieutenant Bucknell reflect high credit upon himself and the military service.