Howard P. Merkle

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Howard P. Merkle (US52003637), Corporal, 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. Corporal Merkle distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yusil-li, Korea, on 14 March 1951. On that date, Corporal Merkle’s company was advancing up a steep slope in an attack against a well-concealed and firmly entrenched enemy force. Suddenly, intense and accurate fire from an enemy machine-gun began to pour down on the company, halting the assault. Realizing that his comrades were faced with possible annihilation, Corporal Merkle leapt from his covered position and single-handedly rushed the hostile emplacement. With grenades and rifle fire, he successfully silenced the weapon and killed its crew before falling, mortally wounded. Greatly inspired by Corporal Merkle’s courage in the face of point-blank enemy fire, his comrades renewed their assault and successfully routed the hostile force.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 595 (July 28, 1951)