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Distinguished Service Cross

Silver Star

2 Bronze Stars

one with Valor

Richard's Army Photos 1945

The Citation

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 that night, 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.

The Night of May 17

The army communication received by the soldier’s parents described the action for which their son received the army’s second highest award:

“Lieutenant Koldenhoven distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Saoring-chi, Korea. On the night of May 17 the enemy launched a desperate attack. Lieutenant Koldenhoven's company was well out in front of the main line of resistance where it bore the brunt of many fantical attacks.

Takes Desperate Action

"Later, when the numerically superior enemy cut off segments of his company which he was leading to a predetermined position, LT. Koldenhoven, realizing that the only the most drastic action could check the hostile advance and save his greatly outnumbered position from annihilation, unhesitatingly called for artillery fire to be brought upon 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, LT. Koldenhoven calmly rallied his scattered troops and withdrew them from the trap. After reorganizing his company, in a display of dauntless courage and inspirational leadership, he again led his troops 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. The extraordinary heroism displayed by LT. Koldenhoven was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service".

Another Accomplishment

Two months before this action which brought him the DSC, the lieutenant, in the face of mortar and small arms fire which had disrupted  company G, had reorganized his weapons platoon, directed fire upon the enemy position, and supervised aid for the wounded.

Another army communication to the lieutenants parents described the action, for which he was awarded the bronze star:

Lieutenant Koldenhoven distinguished himself by heroic achievement March 14 in the vicinity of Yulsi-li, Korea.

"Company G, in which LT. Koldenhoven was serving as weapons platoon leader,  was attacking an enemy entrenched on the mountain sides near Yulsil-li. Although from his advantageous position the enemy was delivering heavy and accurate mortar and small arms fire on friendly troops, causing heavy losses and temporarily disrupting the attack, LT. Koldenhoven calmly guided the fire of his platoon and at the same time directing administering of first aid to the wounded."

Rescue Five From Captors

Fully exposed to intense enemy fire, he organized his men into an effective fire unit which brought such accurate fire to bear upion the enemy as to force the latter to withdraw and to enable the company to advance speedily to its objective. The outstanding leadership and courage displayed by LT. Koldenhoven reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Attached to the bronze star was a "V" for valor, awarded to the lieutenant for patrolling action whixh he led into enemy lines two days after the action for which he was awarded the bronze star. In the later action, the lieutenant and a squad of volunteers crossed the front lines and rescued five prisoners from the enemy camp.