Edward N. Beal

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Edward N. Beal (RA19322870), Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Corporal Beal distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chudeng-ni, Korea, on the night of 31 December 1950. On that date, a Chinese Communist force estimated at one division attacked the 19th Infantry Regiment. The main enemy effort was directed at high positions occupied by Company A. Moving his machine-gun to an exposed position, Corporal Beal poured withering fire into the ranks of the enemy, forcing them to withdraw. Unable to gain their objective by a frontal assault, the enemy began moving to the flank to make another attempt. Sensing their intention, Corporal Beal moved his gun to a more advantageous position, set it on free traverse, and caught the attacking enemy unawares. So accurate and devastating was his machine-gun fire that the enemy was again forced back, leaving an estimated 150 dead on the hill in front of his gun. At 0700 hours on 1 January 1951, his company was ordered to withdraw, but Corporal Beal voluntarily remained behind, and when last seen by his comrades, was still delivering heavy machine-gunfire on the enemy.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 138 (March 13, 1951)