Robert C. Carroll

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert C. Carroll, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private Carroll distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea, on 15 August 1950. At approximately 0300 hours on 15 August 1950, four enemy tanks penetrated the defense perimeter of the 2d Battalion and succeeded in disrupting communications and destroying several company supply points. Obtaining a 3.5-inch rocket launcher, Corporal Carroll crawled to within fifty yards of the lead tank, fired at the tank and succeeded in immobilizing it. The three remaining tanks immediately withdrew. Armed with a hand grenade, Corporal Carroll charged the disabled tank, which was still firing its guns. Unable to locate an opening through which to drop his grenade, he removed an axe and sledge strapped outside the vehicle and used them to force open the turret hatch cover. As the hatch cover flew open, an enemy tanker stood up in the hatch, firing a sub-machine gun. In the face of this sudden and unexpected attack, Corporal Carroll was forced off the tank and the enemy tanker again fastened the hatch cover. Procuring a five gallon can of gasoline from a nearby abandoned vehicle, Corporal Carroll mounted the tank a second time and poured the gasoline around the turret and on the deck of the tank. Then, after climbing down to the ground, he made a rag torch which he threw on the tank, igniting the gasoline. The enemy tankers remained in the tank, firing all guns, until they were burned to death
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 532 (July 10, 1951)