Center House Association
Marine Barracks — Washington, D.C.



    

The Navy Cross
and the Army Distinguished Service Cross

- Korean War -


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Barracks officers who were awarded these medals for actions during the Korean War are:

Colonel Richard W. Hayward, USMC who served at the Barracks as a 1st Lieutenant in 1936.

Major Milton A. Hull, USMC who served at the Barracks as a 1st Lieutenant in 1936.

Lieutenant General Homer L. Litzenberg, USMC who served at the Barracks as a 2nd Lieutanant in 1925, a winner of both awards.
1st Lieutenant William J. Livingston, who served at the Barracks as a 1st Lieutenant in 1955.

Colonel John B. Melvin, USMCR (Ret.), who served at the Barracks as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1945.
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Note:  We have listed all recipients of these awards based on research from several sources.  Anyone who knows of additional Barracks officers entitled to be listed here, should notify chamembers@centerhouse.org)


The Citations:






Colonel Richard W. Hayward, USMC


Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Colonel Richard W. Hayward, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action from May 31 to June 2, 1951, while serving as commanding officer of the Fifth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division near Hundong, Korea.  Committed to secure strategically important key ground north of Hundong, Colonel Hayward displayed superb leadership and rare provision, directed the operations of his regiment.  Traveling over a narrow mountain pass, hampered by driving rain and mud impeding movement by vehicle, Colonel Hayward supervised the movement of vital supplies to his assaulting units by foot, through treacherous, rugged terrain.  When the First Battalion met stubborn resistance and its advance was retarded, Colonel Hayward, under intense mortar, artillery and small-arms fire, fearlessly proceeded to the forward battalion observation post to reconnoiter and evaluate the situation and deploy his troops for maximum support.  Colonel Hayward skillfully deployed the Second Battalion as an enveloping force from high ground in a coordinated attack with the First Battalion.  Moving his command post to the assaulting battalion to direct and coordinate the attack of the two battalions, he relentlessly pressed the assault and secured the strongpoint.




Captain Milton A. Hull, USMC

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company D, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 27 November 1950.  Undeterred by the continuous barrage of heavy hostile fire from a fanatical and numerically superior enemy force which attacked and drove his company from defensive positions on the high ground north of Yudam-ni, Captain Hull immediately reorganized his company and personally led his men in a valiant effort to retake the hill.  Although seriously wounded during the fierce counterattack which ensued, he refused to be evacuated and continued to lead his company in the assault, moving about his men in the face of intense enemy fire and shouting words of encouragement.  By his outstanding and heroic leadership, he served to inspire his troops to herculean efforts in successfully regaining and defending the vital hill position despite heavy casualties which reduced his force to approximately fifteen men.  His cool courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unfaltering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Captain Hull and the United States Naval Service.




     

Colonel Homer L. Litzenberg, USMC


Navy Cross Citation:

For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 6 and 7 December 1950.  Confronted with tremendous difficulties imposed by several days of continuous fighting in sub-zero temperatures against a numerically superior enemy force which had severely depleted his Regiment, Colonel Litzenberg unhesitatingly proceeded to carry out his orders to attack from Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri and to join other units there.  With the only route of attack blocked and strong elements of two hostile Divisions holding positions to his front and flanks, he skillfully directed his assault from a position exposed to vicious enemy artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire.  Expertly supervising the care and evacuation of casualties and moving tirelessly among his men to inspire and exhort them to heroic efforts, he finally succeeded in pressing through to his objective, with an offensive so devastating that the enemy was unable to recover rapidly enough to deliver concerted attacks against the flanks of the read guard Regiment, which followed his unit.  His great personal courage, daring initiative and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Colonel Litzenberg and the United States Naval Service.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Colonel Homer L. Litzenberg, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as the commanding officer of the 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, from November 29 to December 4, 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, Korea. His actions contributed materially materially to the breakthrough of the 7th regiment in the Chosin Reservoir area and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.





1st Lieutenant William J. Livingston, USMC

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism as a Platoon Commander of Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces on the night of 27 February 1953.  Encountering a numerically superior enemy force employing automatic weapons and grenades while he was leading his platoon into a blocking position in support of another platoon occupying an ambush position well forward of the main line of resistance, Second Lieutenant Livingston, although wounded during the initial assault, gallantly refused medical assistance and quickly organized and directed his unit in repelling the hostile attack.  Sustaining additional wounds when the enemy placed heavy mortar and machine-gun fire upon his platoon as he was supervising the evacuation of wounded Marines, he continued to direct the removal of the stricken men and personally carried several of them under fire to a shelter.  Continually operating the radio after his radioman became a casualty, he maintained communications with his company commander throughout the battle and directed accurate artillery and mortar fire upon the enemy.  When the enemy launched a final assault on the remainder of his platoon, Second Lieutenant Livingston fearlessly exposed himself to the hail of withering fire to carry out a vigorous defense of the position, moving rapidly about the area to fire his carbine and to hurl grenades at every hostile group he encountered.  Again refusing medical care when he was wounded a third time as the enemy withdrew, he expertly guided his unit back to friendly lines and assisted in carrying a stretcher, permitting himself to be evacuated only after he was assured that all of his men were within the main line of resistance.  By his indomitable fighting spirit, marked fortitude and courageous leadership, Second Lieutenant Livingston served to inspire all who observed him and was instrumental in the success of his unit in inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy.  His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.




Captain John B. Melvin

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company D, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 28 to 29 March 1953.  Participating in a counterattack against a firmly entrenched and well-concealed enemy force which had previously overrun a vital outpost far forward of the main line of resistance, Captain Melvin repeatedly exposed himself to devastating hostile mortar, artillery and small-arms fire to direct and encourage his men in their gallant attack.  As the number of casualties mounted, he courageously moved his depleted forces up the fire-swept slopes until, at the furthest point of advance, his effective fighting strength was reduced to twelve men.  Although painfully wounded, he tenaciously directed his shattered garrison of Marines in holding the bitterly contested position until the next company could pass through his valiant line of defense and continue the assault on the final heights.  Skillfully reorganizing his company, he moved to an exposed and heavily interdicted area to protect the flank of the newly won position from hostile envelopment.  Despite murderous enemy fire and repeated attempts to outflank or overrun his unit, Captain Melvin inspired his men to heroic endeavor in defending their vulnerable positions throughout the four-day battle.  When an enemy mortar fragment shattered the radio in his hands and disrupted communications with the battalion command post, he unhesitatingly proceeded alone in the face of enemy mortar and artillery fire across an estimated eight hundred yards of terrain infested by enemy suicide patrols attempting to cut the line of supply to the company holding the outpost.  Reaching the friendly trench line, he secured new radios and returned over the same hazardous route to his embattled company.  By his indomitable fighting spirit, dauntless leadership and resolute determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Captain Melvin served to inspire all who observed him and contributed in large measure to the successful recapture of the strategic objective.  His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.





Medal of Honor - Marine Brevet Medal Awards

Viet Nam Navy Cross - DSC Awards

World War II Navy Cross - DSC Awards

Banana Wars Navy Cross - DSC Awards

World War I Navy Cross - DSC Awards





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Center House Association
July, 2008


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 Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.


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