Eiji Morishige

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Eiji Morishige (RA10732257), Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving an acting Platoon Leader with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Corporal Morishige distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Ochon-ni, Korea, on 4 February 1951. On that date, Company C had the mission of seizing and securing Hill W-6, a key terrain feature near Ochon-ni. Corporal Morishige was acting platoon leader of an attached platoon of Republic of Korea troops which had been selected to assault the hill. Midway up the slope, the assaulting force was subjected to intense small-arms and automatic weapons fire. Realizing the strategic importance of the hill, and seeing that his men were faltering in the face of intense enemy fire, Corporal Morishige rushed forward in front of his platoon, firing his weapon and throwing grenades at the enemy. Inspired by the heroism and aggressive leadership of Corporal Morishige, the platoon followed him and closed with the enemy with such ferocity that they were forced to flee in disorder after suffering heavy casualties. While deploying his men in defensive position on the hill, he was killed by enemy sniper fire.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 459 (June 25, 1951)