GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 350  18 Aug 1953

 

    AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL - By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (Sec II, WD Bul 3, 1944), and pursuant to authority in AR 600-45, the Bronze Star Medal with Letter "V" device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States is awarded to the following named enlisted men:

Corporal BURNELL M. MERCER, US56134090, Infantry, Company "F", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the afternoon of 10 June 1953, in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea, Company "F" had the mission of attacking enemy held Hill "412". Friendly units sustained several casualties as they advance and assaulted the enemy outpost. Corporal MERCER, a litter bearer section leader, upon arriving at the battle sight, observed one friendly casualty lying on a hill crest in close proximity to the enemy. Realizing the danger involved, he ordered the rest of his men to stay back as he moved out in an attempt to remove the man from the exposed area. He succeeded in reaching the casualty and after administering first aid, he carried the seriously wounded soldier back through the intense enemy mortar fire to the evacuation point. He remained in the impact area throughout the action, evauating the wounded and directing his litter bearers to other friendly casualties. Corporal MERCER'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from California.

 Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 - National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.