Hugh Norman Sommer, Jr.
Private, U.S. Army

In April 1951, Private Hugh Norman Sommer, Jr. was serving with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 24th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 22 April, PVT Sommer's unit was engaged with enemy forces at Yonghwa-dong, Korea, when PVT Sommer's platoon was attacked by a numerically superior enemy supported by artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire. The platoon was ordered to withdraw to a more tenable position and PVT Sommer's squad remained to cover the withdrawal. Later, while attempting to move through positions previously held by another unit, an enemy soldier silhouetted on a ridgeline was mistaken for a friendly soldier. Calling out that he was bringing his squad through, PVT Sommer received an affirmative answer in English. As the squad approached, the enemy soldier tossed grenades, and although the squad opened fire on him, the soldier succeeded in rolling grenades into their midst before he was killed. As he attempted to dispose of one of the grenades during this action, PVT Sommer was killed and his comrades were wounded. The remaining members of his unit evaded enemy forces and rejoined friendly elements participating in a counterattack the following day. PVT Sommer's courageous actions and inspirational leadership 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 Private Hugh Norman Sommer, Jr. (ASN: ER-16234052), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 24th Infantry Division. Private Sommer distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Yonghwa-dong, Korea, on 22 April 1951. On that date, Private Sommer's platoon was attacked by a numerically superior foe supported by intense artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire. After bitter fighting, the platoon was ordered to withdraw to a more tenable position and Private Sommer's squad remained to cover the retrograde movement. Later, while attempting to withdraw through positions previously held by another unit, an enemy soldier silhouetted on a ridgeline was mistaken for a friendly soldier. Calling out that he was bringing his squad through, Private Sommer received an affirmative answer in English. As the squad approached, the enemy soldier tossed grenades, and although the squad opened fire, the enemy soldier succeeded in rolling grenades into their midst before he was eliminated. While attempting to dispose of a grenade in the position during this action, Private Sommer lost his life and his comrades were wounded. However, his courageous and inspirational leadership greatly encouraged the remaining members of his unit and they successfully evaded enemy forces and rejoined friendly elements participating in a counterattack the following day. Private Sommer's consummate devotion to duty, initiative, and heroic action reflects the highest credit on himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the military service.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 18 (February 18, 1953)

Memorialization

The remains of Private Hugh Norman Sommer, Jr. have never been recovered. He is memorialized with his name inscribed on Court 6 of the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, HI.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=89650159