Bartolome S. Ribac
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

In September 1950, then-Sergeant Bartolome S. Ribac was serving as a Machine Gunner with Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 18 September, SGT Ribac's Company C was engaged with enemy forces near Uiryong, Korea, when SGT Ribac's platoon launched an attack across a small valley with the mission of securing a well-fortified ridge running parallel to the front. Right after the unit made the "jump-off" the enemy began delivering a heavy volume of automatic weapons and rifle fire from along the entire ridge, pinning the platoon down. Simultaneously, the enemy began to fire mortars into the group, causing numerous casualties. Carrying his machine-gun, SGT Ribac leaped to his feet and charged the enemy-held hill. Ignoring the hail of bullets and bursting shells, he ran to the top of the ridge and into the ranks of the enemy. Once on the ridge he deliberately set up his gun in an exposed position and began delivering effective fire on the enemy. Due to his open position and accurate fire, the enemy was forced to direct their fire at him. Ignoring the enemy grenade bursts and small-arms fire that churned the dirt around him, SGT Ribac continued his deadly fire on the enemy positions until he fell mortally wounded. However, his courageous action diverted the enemy long enough for his platoon to extract themselves from an almost hopeless situation, continue the attack, and achieve their mission. SGT Ribac's extraordinary heroism and self-sacrifice earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

He received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Sergeant First Class.

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 Sergeant Bartolome S. Ribac (ASN: RA-30103257), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a machine-gunner with Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Ribac distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Uiryong, Korea, on 18 September 1950. Sergeant Ribac's platoon launched an attack across a small valley with the mission securing a well-fortified ridge running parallel to the front. Immediately after the unit made the "jump-off" the enemy began delivering a withering hail of automatic weapons and rifle fire from along the entire ridge pinning the platoon down. At the same time the enemy began to fire mortars into the group, causing numerous casualties. Sergeant Ribac immediately leaped to his feet, carrying his machine-gun, and charged the enemy-held hill. In spite of the murderous hail of bullets and bursting shells, he ran to the top of the ridge and into the ranks of the enemy. Once on the ridge he deliberately set up his gun in an extremely exposed position and began delivering effective fire on the enemy. Due to his open position and accurate fire, the enemy was forced to direct their fire at him. Ignoring the enemy grenade bursts and small-arms fire which churned the dirt around him, Sergeant Ribac continued his determined and deadly firing on the enemy positions until he fell mortally wounded. However, his courageous action diverted the enemy long enough for his comrades to extract themselves from an almost hopeless situation and continue the attack and accomplish their mission.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 55 (February 6, 1951)

Burial

Sergeant First Class Bartolome S. Ribac is buried at Philippine Independent Church Cemetery in Batac, Ilocos Norte Province, Ilocos, Philippines.

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