George Russell Deemer
Sergeant, U.S. Army

In October 1951, Sergeant George Russell Deemer was serving with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 10 October, SGT Deemer's unit was engaged with enemy forces at Imokchong, Korea, and SGT Deemer's platoon was halted in its advance against Hill 800 on "Heartbreak Ridge" by heavy hostile mortar and automatic-weapons fire. SGT Deemer, with his 57-mm. recoilless rifle and his companion loader, took their place in the skirmish line of the assault squad. Firing his weapon from the shoulder, SGT Deemer maintained his place in the advancing line, destroying several enemy emplacements, and inflicting numerous casualties. When the platoon attained its objective, he set up his weapon at the crest of the ridge and, under heavy hostile fire from both flanks, delivered fire into the counterattacking enemy until his ammunition was exhausted. After organizing two machine-gun crews, he directed their fire on the enemy with excellent results. When ammunition ran low, SGT Deemer led his squad back to the supply point for more, making three trips under fire. SGT Deemer was mortally wounded by enemy mortars while returning with ammunition on his third trip. SGT Deemer's courage and inspiring leadership earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct 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 George R. Deemer (ASN: US-56077131), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Sergeant Deemer distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Imokchong, Korea, on 10 October 1951. On that date, Sergeant Deemer's platoon was halted in its advance against Hill 800 on "Heartbreak Ridge" by heavy hostile mortar and automatic-weapons fire when Sergeant Deemer, with his 57-mm. recoilless rifle and a companion loader voluntarily took his place in the skirmish line of the assault squad. Firing his weapon from the shoulder, he maintained his place in the advancing line, destroyed several enemy emplacements, and inflicted numerous casualties. After the platoon attained its objective, he set up his weapon at the crest of the ridge and, although exposed to hostile fire from both flanks, delivered accurate fire into the counterattacking enemy until his ammunition was exhausted. Organizing two machine-gun crews, he personally directed their fire on the enemy with excellent results and, when ammunition ran low, led his squad back for more, making three trips under fire to the supply point. While returning to the line with ammunition the third time, he was mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire. By his courage, determination, and leadership, Sergeant Deemer was an inspiring example to his comrades.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 64 (June 30, 1952)

Burial

Sergeant George Russell Deemer is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Kingman, Mohave County, AZ.

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