Kenneth W. Koch

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Kenneth W. Koch, First Lieutenant (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 72d Medium Tank Battalion, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Koch distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Cheryong-ni, Korea, on 23 and 24 April 1951. During the night of 23 – 24 April 1951, Lieutenant Koch’s company was subjected to a savage attack by the enemy, who were using mortars, automatic-weapons and rocket launchers. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Koch repeatedly went on foot from one tank to another, encouraging and directing his men. Throughout the night he displayed excellent tactical ability, superb leadership, and conspicuous gallantry in directing the employment of his company against the numerically superior hostile force. Due to his dauntless efforts, his men held their positions and by dawn, the enemy were repulsed with an estimated five hundred dead. Throughout the day of 24 April 1951, Lieutenant Koch personally led repeated attacks against enemy troops who had surrounded two friendly battalions and under his inspiring leadership Company A dislodged the enemy, thereby permitting the battalions to make an orderly withdrawal to new positions. During this engagement more than three hundred enemy soldiers were killed.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 378 (June 1, 1951)