Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans: Korean War hero Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron
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| Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron |
Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron
will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as a member of
Company L, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division during combat
operations against an armed enemy in Kalma-Eri, Korea on April 28, 1951.
Negrón was born and raised in the town of Corozal in Puerto Rico. In March 1948, he entered the U.S. Army in San Juan and was assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment.
Upon the outbreak of the Korean War the men of the 65th, now attached to the Army’s 3d Infantry Division, deployed to the Republic of Korea. They were among the first infantrymen to meet the enemy on the battlefields of Korea. After November, 1950, they fought daily against units of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army after the Chinese entered the war on the North Korean side. One of the hardships suffered by the Puerto Ricans was the lack of warm clothing during the cold and harsh winters. Among the battles and operations in which the 65th participated was Operation Killer in January 1951, becoming the first Regiment to cross the Han River in South Korea during the operation. On April 1951, the Regiment participated in the Uijonbu Corridor drives.
On April 28, 1951, Negrón’s unit came under heavy enemy attack. He was able to halt the enemy attack of his unit, despite the wounds which he received, by accurately hurled hand grenades at short range. For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second highest military decoration for heroism.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Juan E. Negron
(RA10406243), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in
connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United
Nations while serving with the 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry
Division. Master Sergeant Negron distinguished himself by extraordinary
heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of
Kalma-Eri, Korea, on 28 April 1951. On that date, Sergeant Negron took
up the most vulnerable position on his company’s exposed right flank
after an enemy force had overrun a section of the line. When notified
that elements of the company were withdrawing, Sergeant Negron refused
to leave his exposed position, but delivered withering fire at hostile
troops who had broken through a road block. When the hostile troops
approached his position, Sergeant Negron accurately hurled hand grenades
at short range, halting their attack. Sergeant Negron held the position
throughout the night, while an allied counter attack was organized and
launched. After the enemy had been repulsed, fifteen enemy dead were
found only a few feet from Sergeant Negron’s position. The extraordinary
heroism exhibited by Sergeant Negron on this occasion reflects great
credit on himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the
military service.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Negron received the Distinguished
Service Cross (this award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor on Mar.
18), Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal
with three Bronze Service Stars, Navy Presidential Unit Citation,
Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of
Korea-Korean War Service Medal, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit
Citation.
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