James Bronko Nehowig
Corporal, U.S. Army

In September 1952, Corporal James Bronko Nehowig was serving with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 20 September, CPL Nehowig's unit was engaged with enemy forces at Taptong-ni, North Korea. While spearheading an assault to secure "Old Baldy," CPL Nehowig led his squad up a barren, rocky approach toward the objective. As he and his soldiers attacked through the narrow communications trenches, they came under intense hostile fire. CPL Nehowig moved forward throwing grenades and firing his carbine, destroying five enemy bunkers and their manning crews. At the crest of the hill, he ordered his men to ready defensive positions for imminent counterattack and he moved out to reconnoiter the forward slope of the hill. As he encountered the enemy, he killed four and dispersed the remainder. Ignoring the wounds he sustained in this action, CPL Nehowig made his way back to the friendly perimeter, alerted his platoon leader of the impending attack, and returned down the forward slope, assumed a firing position to stem the assault. Maintaining his stand, he poured small arms fire into the enemy ranks and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat as they closed in on his position. Although CPL Nehowig was mortally wounded in this action, his courageous acts contributed greatly to retarding the onslaught and, after the attack was repulsed, many enemy dead were found in the wake of his action. CPL Neowig's sacrifice and devotion to duty 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 Corporal James B. Nehowig (ASN: US-55141720), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Corporal Nehowig distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Taptong-ni, Korea, on 20 September 1952. Spearheading an assault to secure "Old Baldy," Corporal Nehowig led his squad up a barren, rocky approach toward the objective. As the valiant soldiers attacked through the narrow communications trenches, they came under intense hostile fire. Corporal Nehowig moved forward throwing grenades and firing his carbine with deadly accuracy. He destroyed five enemy bunkers and their manning crews. Reaching the military crest of the hill, he ordered his men to ready defensive positions for imminent counterattack. He the moved out to reconnoiter the forward slope of the hill. Encountering the enemy, he engaged and killed four and dispersed the remainder. Ignoring wounds sustained in this action, Corporal Nehowig made his way back to the friendly perimeter, alerted his platoon leader of the impending attack, and returned down the forward slope, assumed a firing position to stem the assault. Maintaining his stand, he poured crippling fire into the ranks of the foe and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat as they closed in on his position. Although mortally wounded in this encounter, his courageous actions contributed greatly to retarding the onslaught and, after the attack was repulsed, many enemy dead were found in the wake of his action. Corporal Neowig's supreme sacrifice and consummate devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 49 (June 9, 1953)

Burial

Corporal James Bronko Nehowig is buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fargo, Cass County, ND.

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