Dewey Mcgowen, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Dewey McGowen, Jr., Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with the Heavy Mortar Company, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class McGowen distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chorwan, Korea, on 19 April 1951. On that date, the regiment had made a night assault on heavily defended, well-entrenched enemy positions and succeeded in establishing a bridgehead across the Han Tan river. The enemy launched a strong, determined counterattack, forcing friendly units to hastily withdraw under heavy mortar, automatic-weapons, and small-arms fire. As Lieutenant McGowen began to withdraw, he observed a seriously wounded comrade nearby. Leaving his radio behind, he successfully carried his comrade across the swift mountain stream, at the crossing site which was continuously subjected to concentrated hostile fire, to a place of relative safety where medical aid was available. When he re-crossed the river to recover his equipment, he found a second seriously wounded soldier. Repeating his hazardous task, Lieutenant McGowen carried his comrade to safety on the friendly side of the river where he had left the first wounded man. Then, with disregard for his personal safety, he again crossed over to the hostile bank of the river. As he neared the location where he had left his radio, he observed than an enemy soldier had captured the equipment. He courageously attacked and killed his foe, regained possession of his radio, and retuned safely to friendly lines.