Charles W. Stratton

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Charles W. Stratton, Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Provisional Commander of the 13th Field Artillery Battalion, the 52nd Field Artillery Battalion, and elements of the 11th Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division Artillery. Lieutenant Colonel Stratton distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces along the Kum River north of Taejon, Korea, on 16 July 1950. While at the command post of the 19th Infantry Regiment, Colonel Stratton received a message from the commanding officer of the 52nd Field Artillery Battalion that their positions were surrounded by enemy infantry. Colonel Stratton left the regimental command post immediately to effect relief and withdrawal of the artillery units which were surrounded. Commanding a tank, Colonel Stratton worked his way through to the forward position area of Battery A, 52nd Field Artillery Battalion, which he found well organized, and effectively beating off the enemy attack with artillery and small-arms fire. He then proceeded to the position area of Battery B, where he attempted to clear fire blocks which prevented withdrawal of the battery. During this action his tank was knocked out by enemy fire, killing the tank driver and seriously wounding the tank commander. Colonel Stratton dismounted form the knocked-out tank and proceeded on foot. Upon arrival at the B Battery area, he took personal command of the area, since the battery commander had been killed by enemy fire. He fearlessly directed the howitzers in direct fire against enemy infantry and three enemy fire blocks of an estimated two machine-guns each. The battery at this time was under intense enemy mortar, automatic weapons and rifle fire. Colonel Stratton remained in the area for six hours fighting off infiltrating enemy infantry and attempting to reduce enemy fire blocks in order to effectively withdraw friendly infantry and artillery units. Later, taking complete command and effecting complete coordination, Colonel Stratton organized the remaining personnel of the 19th Infantry Regiment and the 52nd Field Artillery Battalion in this area and led them in fighting through enemy installations and through the hills to friendly forces. By these actions Colonel Stratton saved numerous lives.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 169 (November 13, 1950)