Isidro DeGuzman Urbano
Captain, U.S. Army

In September 1952, then-First Lieutenant Isidro DeGuzman Urbano was serving with an Infantry Company of the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 18 September, 1LT Urbano's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Kumhwa, North Korea, where 1LT Urbano was leading a patrol with orders to assault an enemy-held hill for the purpose of taking prisoners of war. As the patrol approached the objective, it was pinned down by an intense barrage of sniper, machine-gun, and mortar fire. The patrol became disorganized in the devastating fire and suffered numerous casualties. 1LT Urbano moved among his men, reorganizing and encouraging them. He was preparing to move on toward their objective when he received order from the battalion commander to withdraw. As he supervised the withdrawal, 1LT Urbano saw a wounded comrade lying in an exposed position. He moved towards the man in an attempt to rescue him, while firing his weapon at the enemy ranks. 1LT Urbano had almost reached his comrade when he was mortally wounded. 1LT Urbano's courageous and selfless actions earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Urbano received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Captain.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Isidro D. Urbano (ASN: 0-1324892), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Urbano distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, on 18 September 1952. On that date, Lieutenant Urbano was leading a patrol that had been ordered to assault an enemy-held hill for the purpose of taking prisoners of war. As the group was approaching the objective, it was pinned down by an intense barrage of sniper, machine-gun, and mortar fire. In the devastating rain of fire, the patrol became disorganized and suffered numerous casualties. Disregarding his personal safety, Lieutenant Urbano moved among the men, reorganized them and encouraging them. He was preparing to move on to their objective when he received order from the battalion commander to withdraw. As he supervised the withdrawal, Lieutenant Urbano saw a wounded comrade lying in an exposed position. Unhesitatingly he moved towards the wounded man in an attempt to rescue him, firing his weapon at the enemy as ranks. Lieutenant Urbano almost reached his comrade when he was mortally wounded.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 507 (May 24, 1953)

Burial

Captain Isidro DeGuzman Urbano is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, San Mateo County, CA, in Section R, Site 5059.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=3643513