Charles L. Wesolowsky

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Charles L. Wesolowsky (0-28704), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with the United States Military Advisory Group, Korea. Captain Wesolowsky distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 20 May 1951. Captain Wesolowsky was one of a group of United Nations personnel attempting to evade capture when they were suddenly subjected to heavy enemy fire which caused the withdrawal of the group. He and two companions remained in position and furnished covering fire. During this action, he fearlessly left his sheltered position to go to the aid of a companion who was pinned down by heavy automatic-weapons fire. Charging the enemy in a fierce, bold attack, he bayoneted the gunner and one other enemy soldier and forced the remaining enemy troops to disperse, thereby preventing the overrunning of the position. After the enemy fire had momentarily subsided, he ordered his two companions to withdraw to safety while he remained behind with a critically limited supply of ammunition and covered their withdrawal, fought off enemy patrols, and continued to destroy as many of the enemy as possible. Despite malnutrition and extreme fatigue from his arduous days behind enemy lines, he displayed superb courage against heavy odds in knowingly risking his life to allow his companions to escape unharmed.