1LT Koldenhoven, Richard A. Army
Distinguished Service Cross

First Lieutenant Richard A. Koldenhoven
U.S. Army

Co. G, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 17, 1951

Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to First Lieutenant Richard A. Koldenhoven, Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 38th Infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division, on May 17, 1951, in the vicinity of Saoring-chi, Korea. On the night of May 7, 1951, the enemy launched a desperate offensive against friendly positions. Lieutenant Koldenhoven’s company was well out in front of the main line of resistance where it bore the brunt of many fanatical attacks. Later, when the numerically superior enemy cut off segments of his company, which he was leading to a predetermined position, Lieutenant Koldenhoven, realizing that only the most drastic action could check the hostile advance and save his greatly outnumbered company from annihilation, unhesitatingly called for artillery fire to be brought on his own position. He then ordered the two platoons that were with him to withdraw to an assembly area while he proceeded through the artillery barrage to reach the remainder of his beleaguered company. Heedless of the murderous fire sweeping the entire area, he calmly rallied his scattered men and withdrew them from the trap. After reorganizing his company, in a display of dauntless courage and inspirational leadership, he again led his men against the enemy, personally deploying his platoons and squads and encouraging his men to hold their positions. His gallant and determined efforts in the face of tremendous odds prevented the enemy hordes from encircling and annihilating the entire battalion and enabled the friendly troops to recover from the fierce hostile onslaughts and repulse the enemy.