James B. Nehowig

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal James B. Nehowig (ASN: US-55141720), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Corporal Nehowig distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Taptong-ni, Korea, on 20 September 1952. Spearheading as assault to secure "Old Baldy," Corporal Nehowig led his squad up a barren, rocky approach toward the objective. As the valiant soldiers attacked through the narrow communications trenches, they came under intense hostile fire. Corporal Nehowig moved forward throwing grenades and firing his carbine with deadly accuracy. He destroyed five enemy bunkers and their manning crews. Reaching the military crest of the hill, he ordered his men to ready defensive positions for imminent counterattack. He the moved out to reconnoiter the forward slope of the hill. Encountering the enemy, he engaged and killed four and dispersed the remainder. Ignoring wounds sustained in this action, Corporal Nehowig made his way back to the friendly perimeter, alerted his platoon leader of the impending attack, and returned down the forward slope, assumed a firing position to stem the assault. Maintaining his stand, he poured crippling fire into the ranks of the foe and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat as they closed in on his position. Although mortally wounded in this encounter, his courageous actions contributed greatly to retarding the onslaught and, after the attack was repulsed, many enemy dead were found in the wake of his action. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens Fargo Cass County North Dakota, USA