Arnold Lee Sardeson
Private First Class, U.S. Army

In May 1953, then-Private Arnold Lee Sardeson was serving as a Medical Aidman with an Infantry Company of the 224th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 1 May, PVT Sardeson's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Mandae-ri, North Korea. That night, PVT Sardeson was Aidman for a United Nations patrol that was forced to withdraw under an intense enemy mortar and artillery barrage. Upon hearing the cries of wounded men, he left his bunker and went to their aid. He treated one man and carried him back to the main line. PVT Sardeson then returned to the forward area, treated a second comrade, and evacuated him to the rear. Noticing a wounded Korean soldier lying completely exposed to the enemy barrage, PVT Sardeson again braved the heavy incoming fire and ran to his assistance. While treating the third United Nations soldier, PVT Sardeson was killed instantly by an enemy mortar round. PVT Sardeson's courage and devotion to helping others saved the lives of two comrades and earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Sardeson received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Private First Class.

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 Medical 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 Arnold L. Sardeson (ASN: US-55209325), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Medical Aidman with an Infantry Company of the 224th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division. Private Sardeson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mandae-ri, Korea, on the night of 1 May 1953. On that date, Private Sardeson was Aidman for a United Nations patrol that was forced to withdraw under an intense enemy mortar and artillery barrage. Upon hearing the cries of men wounded in the action, he voluntarily left his bunker and went to their aid. He treated one man and carried him back to the main line. With no thought of his own safety, Private Sardeson returned to forward area, treated a second comrade, and evacuated him to the rear. Noticing a wounded Korean soldier lying completely exposed to the enemy barrage, Private Sardeson again braved the heavy incoming fire and ran to his assistance. While treating the third United Nations soldier Private Sardeson was killed instantly by an enemy mortar round. Through his courageous self-sacrifice and unflinching devotion to duty, he personally saved the lives of two comrades.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 900 (October 1, 1953)

Burial

Private First Class Arnold Lee Sardeson is buried at Logan Park Cemetery in Sioux City, Woodbury County, IA, in Section 12. Plot 61.

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