Harry J. Saunders
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

In August 1950, Sergeant First Class Harry J. Saunders was serving with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 2 August, SFC Saunders' unit was engaged with enemy forces near Chindong-ni, South Korea, where SFC Saunders was in charge of a group of men that had secured the line of departure for the 1st Battalion and were returning in two vehicles through a mountain pass. When they came under enemy fire from positions on their flanks, SFC Saunders and his men dismounted, moved to positions of relative safety, and removed the vehicles from the line of fire. While seeking an escape route, SFC Saunders was wounded by enemy fire. When their position became untenable, SFC Saunders had the men get into one vehicle and he then placed himself in a position to deliver fire on the enemy, an action he continued until he was mortally wounded. SFC Saunders courageous actions, and outstanding leadership, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Harry J. Saunders (ASN: RA-14107701), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Saunders distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chindong-ni, Korea, on 2 August 1950. Sergeant First Class Saunders was in charge of a group of men who had secured the line of departure for the 1st Battalion near Chindong-ni, Korea, and were returning in two vehicles through a mountain pass when they were subjected to concentrated hostile fire from commanding positions on their flanks. Dismounting the men, Sergeant Saunders deployed them to positions of relative safety and moved the vehicle out of the line of fire. He then made a rapid reconnaissance of the position to find an escape route for the group. In doing so he was wounded by enemy fire but continued his efforts. When the position became untenable, Sergeant Saunders, although wounded, loaded the men into one vehicle and placing himself in an exposed position, delivered devastating fire on the enemy until he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Saunders' conspicuous courage, outstanding leadership and unflagging devotion to his comrades reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 169 (November 13, 1950)

Burial

Sergeant First Class Harry J. Saunders is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL.

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