Howard B. Sinclair

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting an Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Silver Star Medal to Howard B. Sinclair (0-22017), Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 25 April 1951, the first of a 3-day enemy counteroffensive, the 1st Battalion was attacked from the rear by a large hostile force, near Uijonbu, Korea, which had infiltrated the reserve company’s position under cover of a dense fog and then attempted to crash through the battalion perimeter. Personally organizing the support company, Colonel St. Clair crossed bullet-swept terrain many times to do so and then, aware that the continuing enemy pressure made a withdrawal expedient, he directed effective covering fire, under the protection of which the battalion fell back to a previously designated blocking position. In this location, the unit was again struck by the pursuing enemy forces and in order to direct a successful defense, Colonel St. Clair repeatedly moved about on an exposed ridge, kept under fire by 5 hostile machineguns, to observe the action and control the counter fire. After fighting a fierce engagement, the battalion, skillfully led by Colonel St. Clair, once more necessarily withdrew to a new line of defense. Here again sustaining a hostile attack of regimental strength, the unit held off and threw back the assault with staggering losses as Colonel St. Clair moved fearlessly about the embattled perimeter urging his battle weary troops to stand firm. The personal gallantry and brilliant application of fire and maneuver reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Howard B. Sinclair (0-22017), Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, First Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 21 November 1950, in the vicinity of Halmjong, Korea, Company B was probing the enemy when attacked by two to three hundred enemy troops. During the attack many difficulties accrued, and Lieutenant Colonel St. Clair personally proceeded to the isolated company in order to determine the extent of the difficulties. With utter disregard for his own safety, he placed himself in a forward position under intense small arms fire and observed the surrounding conditions. Then he quickly reorganized the company which enabled another attack by the enemy to be repulsed. Lieutenant Colonel St. Clair’s outstanding devotion to duty, leadership, and courage were inspiring to his command. His gallantry under fire exemplifies the highest traditions of the military service.