Aivars Karlis Salenieks
Private, U.S. Army

In October 1952, Private Aivars Karlis Salenieks was serving with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 18 October, PVT Salenieks' unit was engaged with enemy forces at Ku-dong, North Korea. PVT Salenieks was a member of a squad occupying a position on the main line of resistance. Shortly after midnight, the friendly forces were subjected to an intense, accurate barrage of enemy artillery and mortar fire and a company of hostile troops stormed the position. Two friendly gun emplacements were neutralized by the heavy fire and the enemy overran one of the trenches, isolating PVT Salenieks and four comrades from the rest of the company. In the ensuing action, he directed accurate rifle fire at the enemy troops approaching from the rear while his comrades warded off a frontal attack. After PVT Salenieks had killed two enemy soldiers and wounded several others, the enemy hurled a grenade into the bunker and PVT Salenieks was Killed in Action when it exploded. His courage and devotion to duty 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 Aivars K. Salenieks (ASN: RA-16404084), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Private Salenieks distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Ku-dong, Korea, on 18 October 1952. Private Salenieks was a member of a squad occupying a position on the main line of resistance. Shortly after midnight, friendly forces were subjected to an intense and accurate barrage of enemy artillery and mortar fire and a company of hostile troops stormed the position. Two friendly gun emplacements were neutralized by the heavy fire and the enemy overran one of the trenches, isolating Private Salenieks and four comrades from the rest of the company. In the ensuing action, he directed accurate rifle fire at the enemy troops approaching from the rear while his comrades warded off a frontal attack. After he had killed two of the charging foe and wounded several others, the enemy hurled a grenade into their bunker and Private Salenieks lost his life when it exploded. Private Salenieks' indomitable courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 49 (June 9, 1953)

Burial

Private Aivars Karlis Salenieks is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, MI.

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