Sunday, May 25, 2008

Memorial Day! God Bless our Military men & women who protect our freedoms....




To All Who Shall See These Presents Greeting:

This is to Certify that
The President of the United States of America
Takes Pride in Presenting


THE
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
to
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Tom's Uncle Earl Copple has an Armory named in his honor in Kentucky and received a purple heart commendation for his efforts in the Korean War where he died...---------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*COPPLE, EARL L.Citation:The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Earl L. Copple (RA46024756), Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with 3d Reconnaissance Company, 3d Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Copple distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kumyangjang-ni, Korea, 18 January 1951. Sergeant Copple's reconnaissance patrol was ambushed and threatened with imminent annihilation. Immediately, with the first volley of merciless fire, he realized that the patrol had been cut off and surrounded. With complete disregard for his own safety, he dismounted from his vehicle, grasped several grenades, and charged an enemy machine-gun emplacement, throwing the grenades as he neared the position. Upon reaching the position, he threw back part of the cover, found one occupant still alive, and killed him with his rifle. The courageous act opened a route of escape for the beleaguered patrol and prevented it from suffering many more casualties. Finding the enemy machine-gun in the position he had destroyed still operative, he turned it on the enemy to cover the withdrawal of his comrades and continued firing until he was mortally wounded.Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 113 (March 4, 1951)Home Town: Marion, Illinois

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