William A. Vandervoort

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to William A. Vandervoort (RA17234635), Private, 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. Private Vandervoort distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Taejon-ni, Korea, on 12 August 1950. While participating in the defense of a strategic terrain feature, Private Vandervoort’s company became engaged in heavy fighting, repulsing a series of attacks launched against the position by a determined enemy. During this action and while repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire, Private Vandervoort was wounded. He was placed in a foxhole for protection against enemy fire and to receive medical treatment. Launching a concerted attack on the company positions a short time later, the enemy lobbed a grenade into the emplacement occupied by Private Vandervoort and an aidman. As the result of the explosion of the grenade, he lost his life when his body absorbed its full blast.