Puerto Rico's
Sergeant First Class (then Sergeant) GEORGE T. KOKOLIADIS,
RA11184063, Infantry
Company "E", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division,
United States Army. On
the night of 14 June 1953, in the vicinity of Sagimak,
Korea, Company "E" launched a
assault on enemy held Hill "412". Sergeant KOKOLIADIS was
the leader of a squad
forming a section of the assault element. As they approached
the objective, the men
came under intense enemy mortar, artillery and small arms
fire and suffered several
casualties. Although wounded in the action, he refused
to be evacuated but, through
words and actions, created a high spirit of aggressiveness
and morale in the remain-
ing members of his depleted squad. As his comrades fell
wounded, he directed their
evacuation to places of comparative safety. When his platoon
leader was rendered a
casualty, Sergeant KOKOLIADIS moved to his aid. Weakened
from his wounds, he was
unable to evacuate the officer, but remained there and
administered aid and comfort to
him until assistance arrived. While guarding the Lieutenant,
he mortally wounded
four enemy soldiers who attempted to close in on them.
Shortly afterwards, friendly
troops arrived and Sergeant KOKOLIADIS helped in the evacuation
of his wounded leader.
Sergeant KOKOLIADIS' outstanding gallantry and devotion
to duty reflect great credit
upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal
Service from Massachu-
setts.