Military Records: Sgt. Willis W. Neal, 1951, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************


 


From: June 28, 1951 Winn Parish Enterprise

Winnfield Boy Awarded Silver Star In Korea

Sgt. Willis Neal, 23, of Winnfield, left Tuesday for Fort Jackson, S. C. after
spending a 40 day furlough here which he received under the current army
rotation policy.  Prior to his visit, Sgt. Neal was awarded the Silver Star
Medal for gallantry in action in Korea.

Following is the citation for the award of the medal made in Korea by Colonel
William W. Quinn, Commanding Officer of the 17th Infantry Regiment:

"Cpl. Willis W. Neal, RA 182-773, Infantry, U. S. Army, while a member of
Company C, 17th Infantry, displayed gallantry in action against an armed enemy
near Kuram, Korea, 19 February, 1951.

Cpl. Neal was a part of the unit attacking the enemy well entrenched on high
ground near Kuram.  During the actual assault, the lead squad were pinned down
by grenades, automatic weapons and small arms fire.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Cpl. Neal, with complete disregard
for his personal safety, led his squad in a counter-attack.  He personally
destroyed the key positions which had held up the advance and was wounded in
the accomplishment of his mission.

The gallantry displayed by Cpl. Neal on this occasion reflects great credit on
himself and the military service.

Neal has been in the infantry three years, two months, 23 months of which were
spent in Japan and nine in Korea.  He received the rating of sergeant in April
of this year.

Sgt. Neal is theson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Albert Neal of Winnfield, the
grandson of Mrs. L. M. Truscott of Goldonna, and the nephew of Mrs. M. D.
Bedgood of Winnfield.