Lawrence Goldstein
Private, U.S. Army

In October 1951, Private Lawrence Goldstein was serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On the night and morning of 9 - 10 October, PVT Goldstein's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Sat'ae-ri, Korea. As point man in Company I's night assault against heavily fortified enemy positions on "Heartbreak Ridge," PVT Goldstein encountered and killed two enemy soldiers manning a listening post, before they could spread the alarm. Nearing the objective, he stepped on an enemy mine and suffered serious injuries. The mine explosion alerted the enemy and they brought intense small-arms and grenade fire upon the unit, forcing its withdrawal. PVT Goldstein was badly wounded in the legs and head and unable to move, making it difficult to endure the long cold night. As his unit resumed the attack the next morning. he warned his comrades of the mine field and pointed out the location of two concealed enemy positions, PVT Goldstein then died while being moved to an aid station. His heroic conduct and indomitable spirit 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 Lawrence Goldstein (ASN: US-51104128), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private Goldstein distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Sat'ae-ri, Korea, on the night of 9 - 10 October 1951. As point man in his unit's night assault against heavily fortified enemy positions on "Heartbreak Ridge," Private Goldstein encountered and killed two hostile soldiers manning a listening post before they could spread the alarm. Upon nearing the objective, he accidentally stepped on an enemy mine and suffered serious injuries. The explosion of the mine alerted the enemy, who brought intense small-arms and grenade fire upon the unit and forced its withdrawal. Severely wounded in his legs and head and unable to move, Private Goldstein endured the cold of the long night and, when his unit resumed the attack the next morning, he roused himself to warn his comrades of the mine field and to point out the location of two concealed enemy positions, Although he died while being moved to an aid station, his heroic conduct and indomitable spirit will always be an inspiration to those who knew him best.

General Orders: Department of the Army: General Orders No. 64 (June 30, 1952)

Burial

Private Lawrence Goldstein is buried at Montefiore Cemetery in Springfield Gardens, Queens County, NY.

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