Albert C. Erickson

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Albert C. Erickson (ER17249047), Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Corporal Erickson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chungung-ni, Korea, on 14 February 1951. On that date, the 1st Battalion was attacked by an enemy force of numerical superiority and a squad that was serving as an outpost was subjected to an intense volley of fire which wounded all except one member. As the squad began withdrawing from its exposed, vulnerable position, it was harassed by enemy fire which threatened to sever its route. Corporal Erickson, from his position in the battalion perimeter saw the plight of the withdrawing squad and, with complete disregard for assault fire from an enemy group advancing on is position, shifted his line of fire to cover the movement of the beleaguered squad. This covering fire enabled the squad to withdraw to safety but in the course of the action, Corporal Erickson was hit by enemy fire and mortally wounded.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 318 (May 17, 1951)