Joe THOMAS Klinefelter

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Joe Thomas Klinefelter (0-1890262), Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Battery A, 955th Field Artillery Battalion, 8th U.S. Army. Second Lieutenant Klinefelter distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumwha, Korea, on the night of 13 July 1953. On that date, Lieutenant Klinefelter was a forward artillery observer with a Republic of Korea Army division under intense enemy attack. Although the enemy quickly overran the area to the right and left of his position, Lieutenant Klinefelter fearlessly carried out his mission and directed effective and accurate fire on the enemy. When the enemy penetrated the United Nations main line of resistance and occupied positions to the rear of his bunker, Lieutenant Klinefelter immediately directed a barrage on the sector which dispersed the assault. Simultaneously informing organizations to the rear of the progress of the battle in his area, Lieutenant Klinefelter then directed artillery fire on his own bunker when the enemy threatened to overrun the position. The following morning, after all United Nations infantry and armored units had withdrawn, Lieutenant Klinefelter attempted to lead his men to safety, but was soon pinned down by enemy fire. With conspicuous devotion to duty, he continued to direct an effective barrage on the enemy forces surrounding his group until his radio failed and all communications were lost. Lieutenant Klinefelter and his two comrades failed to return to United Nations lines.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 18 (January 15, 1954)