Ellison Wynn

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Ellison Wynn (0-1303423), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Wynn distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kunu-ri, Korea, on 25 November 1950. On that date, Company B was attacking a hill consisting of three knolls occupied by the enemy. As each knoll fell under the company’s relentless attack, the enemy withdrew until they were in considerable force when the attack on the last knoll was made. During the attack on this knoll the company commander was wounded and Lieutenant Wynn, assuming command, led his troops in the final assault and routed the enemy. While preparing to pursue the retreating forces, an estimated two companies of enemy counterattacked from an adjacent hill. During this fierce counterattack, the machine-gun section with Lieutenant Wynn was knocked out and the gunner and his assistant were killed. Remaining alone on the hill, Lieutenant Wynn held off the enemy by throwing grenades until his men joined him in defending the position. Although bleeding profusely from wounds he had received, he staunchly directed the defense of his position until the battalion commander ordered a withdrawal.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 221 (April 19, 1951)