Albert Jose Gevara
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Albert Jose Gevara was a veteran of World War II.

On 17 September 1950, then-Corporal Albert Jose Gevara was serving with 1st Battalion, 29th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division, and his unit was engaged with enemy forces near Sobuk-San, Korea. CPL Gevara's platoon was committed in support of another company whose casualties had been high. During the night the platoon's positions came under attack by artillery, mortar, small-arms and repeated banzai charges. The platoon sergeant and platoon officer were wounded, leaving the men very shaken. At about 1500 the platoon was driven from its position by an overwhelming enemy force. CPL Gevara, a junior non-commissioned officer, noted that the men were bewildered, confused, and disorganized so he assumed leadership of the platoon's remaining men. With about twenty-five men, he reorganized the platoon into a cohesive fighting force and resupplied them with ammunition. Finding a malfunctioning machine-gun, he restored it to operating condition. Informed of a wounded man that had been left behind, he crawled into enemy-held territory and dragged him back to safety. Now prepared, he moved out ahead of his men and led them in an assault on the enemy. Despite the heavy enemy fire the small group of men drove the enemy from the hill and secured the area previously held by the platoon. After the platoon was organized on this position, CPL Gevara suddenly collapsed and it was discovered that he had been seriously wounded in the stomach and leg at the same time that his platoon leader was hit. His courage, extraordinary heroic action and inspired leadership earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

He was returned to duty on 11 November 1950 following treatment of his serious wounds. He was transferred to the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division and was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on 22 March 1951.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Albert Jose Gevara (ASN: RA-17092458), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with 1st Battalion, 29th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division. Corporal Gevara distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Sobuk-San, Korea, on 17 September 1950. On that date, Corporal Gevara's platoon was committed in support of another company whose casualties had been high. During the night the positions occupied by the platoon came under heavy attack by artillery, mortar, small-arms and repeated banzai charges. These attacks resulted in the platoon sergeant and platoon officer being wounded, which left all of the men in a highly nervous and shaken condition. Finally, at about 1500 on 17 September 1950, the platoon was driven from its position by an overwhelming enemy force. Corporal Gevara, although not the senior non-commissioned officer present, noted that the men were bewildered, confused, and completely disorganized, and used great initiate by assuming the leadership of the remnants of the platoon. Gathering a group of about twenty-five men together, he reorganize the platoon into a cohesive fighting force. resupplying them with ammunition, he checked to see that none were wounded. Finding one machine-gun had a malfunction, he restored it to an operating condition. In addition, upon being informed of a wounded man that had been left behind, he fearlessly crawled into enemy held territory and dragged the wounded man back to safety. When all preparations had been completed, he moved out ahead of his men in an assault on the enemy. The small group of men were inspired to a maximum effort despite the heavy enemy fire and drove the enemy from the hill, securing the area previously held by the platoon. After the platoon was organized on this position, Corporal Gevara suddenly collapsed. It was discovered at this time that he had been seriously wounded in the stomach and leg at the same time that his platoon leader was hit.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 49 (January 31, 1951)

Burial

Sergeant Albert Jose Gevara is buried at the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Denver County, CO, in Section H, Site 245.

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