Jack Newton Reeder
Private First Class, U.S. Army

In August 1951, Private First Class Jack Newton Reeder was serving as a Recoilless Rifle Gunner with Company D, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 30 August, PFC Reeder's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Yanggu, North Korea, and PFC Reeder was providing supporting fire for his comrades as they launched an attack against well-fortified hostile positions. Firing with deadly accuracy, he destroyed several of the key enemy emplacements. Upon discovering that his ammunition was gone, PFC Reeder picked up an M-1 rifle and joined a rifle platoon. From his new position he continued to direct a devastating volume of fire against the enemy until his rifle ammunition was also expended. Finding himself unable to fire at the enemy, PFC Reeder then moved among the wounded men lying on the hill, calming them as he dressed their wounds. As he crawled about on the fire-swept terrain, he saw one of his comrades lying seriously wounded in an area exposed to direct enemy fire. PFC Reeder rushed across the open ground to the wounded man's side and, ignoring the heavy volume of enemy fire concentrated on him, attempted to carry the man to safety. He soon realized, however, that the nature of his comrade's wound made this impossible, so PFC Reeder shielded the man with his body. Due to the intense enemy fire, his heroic action cost him his life. PFC Reeder's courageous and selfless action of trying to save a fellow soldier 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 Private First Class Jack Newton Reeder (ASN: NG-28115658), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a recoilless rifle gunner with an Infantry Company of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private First Class Reeder distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yanggu, Korea, on 30 August 1951. On that date, Private Reeder provided supporting fire for his comrades as they launched an attack against well-fortified hostile positions. Firing with deadly accuracy, he destroyed several of the key enemy emplacements. Upon discovering that his ammunition was exhausted, Private Reeder picked up an M-1 rifle and joined a rifle platoon. From his new position he continued to direct a devastating volume of fire against the enemy until his rifle ammunition was also expended. Finding himself unable to fire at the foe, Private Reeder then moved among the wounded men lying on the hill, calming them and dressing their wounds. As he crawled about on the fire-swept terrain, he noticed one of his comrades lying seriously wounded in an area exposed to the direct fire of the enemy. Unhesitatingly, he rushed across the open ground to the stricken man's side. Undaunted by the heavy volume of enemy fire being concentrated on him, Private Reeder attempted to carry the man to safety. He soon realized, however, that the nature of his comrade's wound made this impossible and so, with utter disregard for his personal safety, Private Reeder shielded the man with his body. Because of the intense enemy fire this action cost him his life.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 1019 (December 25, 1951)

Burial

Private First Class Jack Newton Reeder is buried at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, CA.

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