Francis L. Schwartze

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Francis L. Schwartze (US55150054), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Sergeant Schwartze distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Taptong-ni, Korea, on 20 September 1952. Committed to capture the left sector of “Old Baldy,” Sergeant Schwartze’s platoon spearheaded an attack against hostile bunkers on the military crest of the key terrain and, despite bitter resistance, routed the defenders and secured the strongpoint. Constantly vulnerable to heavy fire from emplacements on commanding ground, Sergeant Schwartze deployed the troops in defensive positions for imminent attack. Rallying a small force, he advanced to meet the onslaught. Inspired by his unflinching courage, the men stormed forward with such tenacity the enemy was forced to retreat. Despite a wound sustained in this action, he moved to the rear, obtained a light machine-gun from the second assault platoon, returned through intense hostile fire, and positioned the weapon for maximum defense. The determined foe then launched a frontal and right-flank assault in an attempt to overrun the position. As the battle increased in fury, Sergeant Schwartze observed a wounded comrade lying in the fire-swept impact area. He charged forward and killed four enemy soldiers with his carbine. His ammunition expended, he eliminated a fifth with the butt of his weapon and dispersed the remainder. Although wounded a second time, he courageously went to the aid of the stricken man and carried him to safety. While reorganizing to resume the attack, he was critically wounded by a grenade and evacuated.