Frank Riley Loyd, Jr.
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

In September 1950, Second Lieutenant Frank Riley Loyd, Jr. was serving as a Platoon Leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 26 September, 2LT Loyd's unit was engaged with enemy forces near Sinan-Myan, Korea. When Task Force Dolvin was proceeding along a road, the column was stopped by enemy sniper and automatic-weapons fire from the high ground to their right. 2LT Loyd, as platoon leader of the 1st platoon, was riding tanks at the rear of the column. When the enemy commenced firing, 2LT Loyd formed fifteen men into an effective fighting force and attacked the hill. In the course of the attack the group was pinned down by devastating enemy fire and grenades. 2LT Loyd, although armed only with a pistol, exposed himself to the deadly enemy fire and through his display of courage and leadership so inspired his men that they assaulted the position and forced the enemy to withdraw. In this final assault 2LT Loyd was killed. Due to his action, an enemy force of what was later determined to be 150 men was forced from well-fortified positions. The extraordinary heroism and selfless sacrifice of 2LT Loyd 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
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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Frank Riley Loyd, Jr. (ASN: 0-62775), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Loyd distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Sinan-Myan, Korea, on 26 September 1950. When Task Force DOLVIN was proceeding along a road, the column was stopped by severe enemy sniper and automatic-weapons fire from the high ground to their right. Lieutenant Loyd, as platoon leader of the 1st platoon, was riding tanks at the rear of the column. When the enemy commenced firing, Lieutenant Loyd, without regard for his own safety, immediately formed fifteen men into an effective fighting force and attacked the hill. In the course of the attack the group was pinned down by devastating enemy fire and grenades. Lieutenant Loyd, although armed only with a pistol, exposed himself to the deadly enemy fire and through his outstanding display of courage, aggressiveness and leadership so inspired his men that they assaulted the position and forced the enemy to withdraw. In this final assault Lieutenant Loyd was killed. Due to his heroic action, an enemy force of what was later determined to be 150 men were forced from well-fortified positions. The extraordinary heroism and gallant sacrifice of Lieutenant Loyd reflect great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 78, (February 17, 1951)

Burial

Second Lieutenant Frank Riley Loyd, Jr. is buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Bexar County. TX, in Section B, Site 253-A.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=931855