Rawland N. Otterstrom

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Rawland N. Otterstrom (US56059056), Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Corporal Otterstrom distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sangyang, Korea, on 13 October 1951. On that date, the company of which Corporal Otterstrom was a member was engaged in an assault against a series of heavily fortified and well-concealed enemy positions. As the friendly troops advanced, they were subjected to heavy small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire which increased in intensity until they were forced to seek cover. At this point in the assault, the company commander was severely wounded by an exploding mortar shell and fell helpless on the fire-swept terrain. Observing that his leader was completely exposed to the fire of a hidden enemy machine-gun, Corporal Otterstrom left his position of cover and attempted to reach the stricken man. With utter fearlessness, he worked his way through the heavy enemy fire being concentrated on him until he was hit and instantly killed by a burst from the machine-gun. His heroic action, however, had forced the hidden automatic-weapons crew to reveal their location and the friendly forces immediately converged their entire firepower on the emplacement. With the enemy positions destroyed, the friendly troops were able to renew their assault and evacuate their leader.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 192 (April 12, 1952)