GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 117  29 April 1951

 

    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 and enlisted man :

FIRST LIEUTENANT RICHARD W. DURKEE, 01326809, Infantry, Company "L", 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 20 February 1951, in the vicinity of Chutan, Korea, Lieutenant DURKEE was leading his platoon on a mission to obtain information concerning a crossing of the Han River. When the patrol arrived at the river, Lieutenant DURKEE waded the river in order to obtain infomation as to the depth, length, and firmness of the bottom. In spite of a large volumn of fire from the enemy entrenched on the opposite bank he continued his mission until he had the needed information. Lieutenant DURKEE'S gallantry reflects great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the military service from the State of South Carolina.

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