Edwin E. Nehls

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Edwin E. Nehls, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company. Sergeant First Class Nehls distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Pau-gol, Korea, early in the morning of 15 July 1953. On that date, Sergeant Nehls was on an outpost position which was subjected to a heavy enemy barrage after which a reinforced battalion assaulted the United Nations sector. In spite of the heroic defense, the enemy was successful in seizing the area. Disregarding all thoughts of personal safety, Sergeant Nehls organized a patrol of five men and led them into the midst of the enemy element, encouraging his followers to direct accurate and effective small arms fire into the enemy ranks. Sergeant Nehls rose to a standing position and fired rifle grenades into the enemy group, refusing to withdraw until superior number and firepower made withdrawal inevitable. He then led an element of the counterattacking forces into enemy positions and engaged in hand- to-hand combat. Although wounded, Sergeant Nehls refused to leave the area until the enemy force had been completely repulsed.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 40 (January 31, 1954)