GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 307  1 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 officer:

First Lieutenant HERMAN J. VETORT, 063987, Armor, Tank Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the afternoon of 10 June 1953, elements of the 65th Infantry Regiment raided Hill "412" in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. In support of the raid, Lieutenant VETORT directed a task force of two General Patton tanks through a valley to a position deep in enemy territory. After being deployed to firing positions by Lieutenant VETORT, they began firing into enemy fortifications on the reverse slope of the hill. The enemy countered, subjecting the tanks to a bombardment of mortar fire. Lieutenant VETORT, courageously exposed himself to the bursting mortar shells and commanded fire on vital points of the heavily fortified enemy outpost. Upon observing three seriously wounded friendly soldiers being evacuated, he dismounted from the tank and went through the heavy fire to direct the medical aidmen to the tank position where cover could be afforded beneath the hulls. He then summoned a personnel carrier and directed its movement to the tanks, directing an orderly evacuation despite the intense shell fire. As the friendly troops moved back from the hill, he maneuvered his task force to support their movement. Lieutenant VETORT'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the militery service. Entered the Federal Service from Michigan.

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