Edward A. Konek

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting an Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Silver Star Medal to Edward A. Konek (0-1304913), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while Commanding Company K, 3d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. During the early morning hours on 27 April 1951 in the vicinity of Uijongbu, Korea, Company K was attacked and eventually outflanked by a numerically superior enemy force. Calmly organizing his unit, Captain Konek directed an orderly withdrawal to the adjacent B Company defensive perimeter, where he supervised the consolidation of positions before taking cover himself. Under the cover of darkness, the enemy succeeded in surrounding the friendly force, and subjected it to intense fire. Near dawn, approximately three hundred enemy reinforcements were observed approaching the unit’s positions. Immediately deploying one platoon in a flanking movement, Captain Konek led the remainder of his men in a mass bayonet assault, driving a wedge through the enemy encirclement and enabling the beleaguered troops to begin a withdrawal. Although the enemy poured continual fire into the withdrawing companies from positions on a commanding ridge, Captain Konek’s courageously remained in a completely exposed area, successfully directing his troops to safety with a minimum of casualties. Captain Konek’s gallantry and aggressive leadership reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Edward A. Konek (0-1304913), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while Commanding Company K, 3d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 2 March 1951, near Sokto, Korea, a patrol from Captain Konek’s company was brought under withering enemy fire while in an assault boat attempting to cross to the north bank of the Han River. Captain Konek, on the south bank with a squad of men, set up and directed a base of fire to cover the withdrawal of his patrol. As the boat neared the south bank, the enemy placed heavy mortar fire on the landing site and the reserve squad, but Captain Konek, completely disregarding the enemy fire, walked among his men reassuring them and directing their fire. As the patrol was unloading, a man was wounded and Captain Konek immediately went to his aid and, assisted by an enlisted man, carried the wounded man to a place of comparative safety. Unable to make radio contact and realizing that he must have supporting fire in order to withdraw the squad with any degree of safety, he proceeded across the open terrain to the battalion observation post and requested tank support. Returning to his men, he supervised the withdrawal and assisted in evacuating the wounded man. The selfless gallantry and exemplary conduct displayed by Captain Konek reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.