Gilmon A. Huff

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Gilmon A. Huff (0-408081), Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Huff distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chonpou, Korea, on 10 October 1950. On that date, when the battalion was engaged in the mission of attacking across the Yaesong-gang River in an attempt to capture the important city of Paekchan, Colonel Huff accompanied the lead company. Advancing on their objective, the lead company came under intense enemy small-arms fire from three sides which caused it to become disorganized and start falling back. Rallying and reorganizing these scattered troops, Colonel Huff shifted them to flank defenses and ordered a second company to pass through the first and renew the attack. This second company, personally led by Colonel Huff, also came under intense fire and received several banzai charges. Although seriously wounded in repelling a banzai charge, he refused to be evacuated for four hours, but chose to remain and hold his companies together by sheer leadership and his inspiring fearlessness. Not until he had reorganized and instilled his battalion with his courageous determination to such a high degree that they routed the enemy and captured the objective, would Colonel Huff permit himself to be ordered by a medical officer to relinquish is command and be evacuated.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 52 (February 2, 1951)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Gilmon A. Huff, 0408081, Infantry, 314th Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action as battalion commander in France. On 25 June 1944, the 2d battalion, 314th Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Huff, attacked two fortified positions, one of which was the heavily defended Fort du Roule. Throughout the attack he was in constant contact with his officers and men, and his skillful use of supporting fire and tactical handling of his companies enabled him to take the first of the enemy positions with light causalities. His attack on Fort du Roule led to the fort’s surrender and the capture of more than 300 prisoners, as well as valuable enemy materiel. His coolness under fire and heroic leadership reflect highest credit on the military forces of the United States.