Richard W. Stephens

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Richard W. Stephens, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Colonel Stephens distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chochiwon, Korea, during the period from 9 through 13 July 1950. During the early stages of the Korean conflict, Colonel Stephens was assigned the mission of delaying the advance of the North Korean People’s Army pending the buildup of United Nations forces for a counteroffensive. Making a personal reconnaissance of the area, he chose a delaying site in the hills north of Chochiwon where he personally directed the construction of defensive positions and emplacement of automatic weapons, mortars and supporting artillery. When the enemy assault on the delaying position began, he, seemingly oblivious of the intense enemy fire, moved forward of the regiment’s main line of resistance and established an observation post from which he directed the defense of his regiment’s positions. When the observation post was encircled by the enemy, he organized a few men into a combat group and personally led them in an audacious attack on an enemy of overwhelming strength, successfully breaking out of the encirclement and reaching friendly lines. During the entire engagement, he exploited every possible means of stemming the enemy advance and his courage, fearless bearing, and aggressive leadership were largely responsible for the magnificent delaying action fought by his hopelessly outnumbered troops.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 114 (March 4, 1951), as amended by General Orders No. 189 (1951)