Floyd Shepard
Private First Class, U.S. Army

In June 1951, Private First Class Floyd Shepard was serving with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 8 June, PFC Shepard's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Oetook-tang, North Korea. Company L was engaged in an attack against a hill held by a well-entrenched hostile force. During this attack, PFC Shepard's 3rd platoon was pinned down by intense enemy mortar, small-arms and automatic-weapons fire. PFC Shepard saw an enemy bunker on the left flank and, realizing that it was the principal obstacle to the platoon's advance, left his position and assaulted it. His single-handed attack took the enemy troops completely by surprise and caused them to concentrate their automatic-weapons fire on him. As PFC Shepard neared the bunker, he was killed instantly by a burst of fire from an enemy machine-gun. However, his courageous charge drew the fire away from his comrades and gave them time to set up defenses that undoubtedly saved many lives. PFC Shepard's extraordinary heroism and selfless actions 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 Floyd Shepard (ASN: RA-17290320), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Private First Class Shepard distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Oetook-tang, Korea, on 8 June 1951. On that date, Company L was engaged in an attack against a hill held by a well-entrenched hostile force. During this attack, the 3d platoon, of which Private Shepard was a member, was pinned down by intense enemy mortar, small-arms and automatic-weapons fire. Private Shepard observed an enemy bunker on the left flank and, realizing that it was the principal obstacle to the advance of the platoon, left his position of cover and assaulted it. His single-handed attack took the enemy troops completely by surprise and caused them to concentrate their automatic-weapons fire on him. As Private Shepard neared the bunker, he was instantly killed by a burst of fire from an enemy machine-gun. However, his gallant charge drew the fire from his comrades and gave them time to set up defenses which undoubtedly saved many lives.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 753 (October 9, 1951)

Burial

Private First Class Floyd Shepard is buried at Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery in Sand Springs, Tulsa County, OK.

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