Max RAYMOND Stover

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Max Raymond Stover (0-975672), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company C, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Stover distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, on 16 October 1952. On that date, the company led by Lieutenant Stover, weakened and exhausted after two days of continuous fighting, was ordered to seize a tactically important part of a commanding terrain feature. Remaining always with the foremost element of the assault platoon, Lieutenant Stover guided his men up the battle-torn slope which let to their objective. When another company became pinned down by heavy small arms, automatic weapons, artillery, and mortar fire, Lieutenant Stover shouted to his men to follow him and led them through the pinned-down company and on toward the enemy positions. Without warning, a concealed machine-gun opened fire on the company inflicting heavy casualties and threatening to halt its advance. Exhibiting a complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Stover charged forward alone to a point near the emplacement and hurled a grenade into the position, destroying it. Mortally wounded, he nevertheless inspired his men to continue their advance and to overrun and secure the objective.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 138 (January 23, 1953)