Billy Frank Reddick
Corporal, U.S. Army

Billy Frank Reddick is the son of Grady Peden and Cora Tharpe Reddick.

In October 1951, Corporal Billy Frank Reddick was serving with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in Korea.

On 10 October, CPL Reddick's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Mago-ri, North Korea. CPL Reddick's platoon was assigned the mission of attacking and securing a strategic hill from a large hostile force. As the friendly troops advanced up the steep slope, they were subjected to a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire that forced them to halt their attack and seek cover. Locating the position from which the major portion of the hostile fire came, CPL Reddick moved forward over the fire-swept terrain. Upon reaching a position a few yards from the enemy emplacement, he threw several grenades inside. Then, fixing his bayonet, he leaped within the bunker and engaged the hostile troops in hand-to-hand combat. CPL Reddick single-handedly killed seven of the enemy and neutralized the bunker. Inspired by his courage, the friendly troops renewed their assault and, as they advanced, CPL Reddick took charge of an automatic-rifle team. Leading his men toward the objective, he directed their fire until he was killed by hostile fire. CPL Reddick's courage and 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
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 Billy F. Reddick (ASN: RA-18358022), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Infantry Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Corporal Reddick distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Nago-ri, Korea, on 10 October 1951. On that date the platoon of which Corporal Reddick was a member was assigned the mission of attacking and securing a strategic hill from a large hostile force. As the friendly troops advanced up the precipitous slope, they were subjected to a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire which forced them to halt their attack and seek cover. Locating the position from which the major portion of the hostile fire originated, Corporal Reddick, without regard for his personal safety, moved forward over the fire-swept terrain. Upon reaching a position a few yards from the enemy emplacement, he threw several grenades inside. Then, fixing his bayonet, he leaped within the bunker and engaged the hostile troops occupying it in hand-to-hand combat. Fighting fiercely, Corporal Reddick single-handedly killed seven of the enemy and neutralizing the bunker. Inspired by his fearlessness, the friendly troops renewed their advance and, as they advanced, Corporal Reddick took charge of an automatic-rifle team. Leading his men directly toward the objective, he directed their fire with great skill until he was hit and killed by hostile fire. His courage and devotion to duty were instrumental in the success achieved by his platoon in seizing its objective.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 163 (March 26, 1952)

Burial

Corporal Billy Frank Reddick is buried at Stevenson Cemetery in Rayville, Richland Parish, LA.

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