Joseph W. Balboni

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Joseph W. Balboni (RA11194795), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company E, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Private First Class Balboni distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Anju, Korea, on 5 November 1950. At dawn on that date, an enemy force of approximately six hundred Chinese Communist soldiers launched a sudden fanatical attack on Private First Class Balboni’s company’s position. By stealth and excellent fire discipline, the enemy worked their way at points to within twenty-five yards of the company’s lines before the full fury of their attack was unleashed. Private Balboni, armed with a Browning Automatic Rifle, immediately opened fire on the advancing enemy troops, whose attack was increased in strength and vigor. As the Communist attack mounted against the thin line of Company E, it became apparent that a withdrawal must be ordered. As the unit withdrew, Private Balboni continued his deadly fire even when the enemy came within a few feet of his position, and voluntarily remaining in place, placed burst after burst on the advancing ranks of the enemy. This momentarily delayed, but did not stop, their advance in his sector. Despite his grim determination and his deadly fire, which killed seventeen of the enemy, he was presently surrounded and killed.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 63 (February 10, 1951)