James E. Roberts

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James E. Roberts (RA14027367), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Roberts distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces while leading a night patrol in the vicinity of Majang-ni, Korea, on 1 July 1953. On that date, Sergeant Roberts led a fourteen-man patrol to a point approximately 2,800 yards from the main line of resistance to establish an ambush. While Sergeant Roberts was engaged in deploying his men in the most advantageous fighting positions, the patrol was fired upon by a concealed enemy force of platoon strength. After signaling for aid, Sergeant Roberts moved forward to meet the enemy. When he was attacked by several hostile soldiers his rifle was wrested from him, but he continued to fight with his bare hands. Although wounded several times in the head and legs, Sergeant Roberts took a weapon from the enemy and killed three of his attackers. Exhausted from the bitter fight and weakened by loss of blood, Sergeant Roberts was placed on a stretcher for evacuation. As he was being carried from the area, he continued to should directions and words of encouragement to his men.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 738 (August 11, 1953)