On August 6, 1950, during the early weeks of the Korean War, Second Lieutenant Chester Lenon of the 77th Engineer Combat Company, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division displayed extraordinary heroism while covering the withdrawal of a sister unit under intense enemy fire.

Pinned down by a deadly combination of small arms and mortars, LT Lenon refused to sit back. Taking six volunteers, he flanked the enemy and launched a daring counterattack, inflicting heavy casualties and allowing the rest of his platoon to fall back safely.

Wounded in the fight, he refused to be evacuated. Instead, he held his position, firing on the enemy until every one of his men was out of danger. Only then did he retreat—and even then, he turned his attention to the wounded, treating them one by one despite his own injuries.

For his fearless leadership and refusal to abandon his men under fire, 2LT Chester Lenon was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

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