Ernest J. House, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Ernest J. House, Jr. (0-1925514), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. During the early morning hours of 16 May 1953, Lieutenant House was in command of a platoon of Company G, occupying Outpost Harry, in the vicinity of Songnae-dong, Korea. The outpost came under intense artillery and mortar fire followed by a numerically superior enemy attack. Lieutenant House, knowing that the heavy shelling would be followed by an enemy attack, immediately began checking his men to insure that everyone was in position to repel the foe. Completely disregarding his personal safety, he moved through the devastated area, contacting every man to reassure them and to point out sectors of likely enemy approach. When the main attack came, the platoon was prepared to effectively drive off the foe. Lieutenant House continued to expose himself throughout the attack to locate groups of enemy soldiers and direct the platoon’s fire on them. His actions were instrumental in repulsing the attack and securing the outpost. Lieutenant House’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.