Ward ORVILLE Neville

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Ward Orville Neville (0-1112888), First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 3d Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Neville distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Hill 207 in the Republic of Korea on 11 August 1950. Lieutenant Neville volunteered to lead a hazardous patrol across the Naktong River and five thousand yards into enemy-held territory with the mission of observing enemy movement, strength, and location. At 1700 hours on 11 August 1950, the patrol, consisting of Lieutenant Neville and thirteen enlisted men, was attacked by a force of an estimated two hundred enemy riflemen. Lieutenant Neville, realizing the impossible odds with which his patrol was confronted, decided upon a desperate course of action. He personally led his patrol through a hail of enemy fire to the west, one thousand yards farther into enemy territory, to the east bank of the Hoechon River, without casualties. Upon arriving at the Hoechon River, the patrol was fired upon from the North and South by an estimated one hundred enemy riflemen. Lieutenant Neville was shot through the right leg and immobilized and three of his patrol were mortally wounded. Vehemently refusing assistance form any of his patrol members, he directed them across the river and, after most had crossed, he dragged himself through the river to the west bank. During this time he was constantly ordering his patrol to shoot into the areas from which the heaviest enemy fire was coning and urging them on, lest they be captured. Lieutenant Neville, mortally wounded, dragged himself into a rice paddy and was last seen with a grenade in his hand, urging the patrol on to safety. His utter refusal of assistance from his patrol after he was wounded made it possible for five members of the patrol to return to friendly lines and safety.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 110 (October 11, 1950)