Ralph John Vangsness
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army

In July 1950, Master Sergeant Ralph John Vangsness was serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 28 July, MSG Vangsness' unit was engaged with enemy forces near Hwanggan, Korea, where Company C bore the brunt of an enemy attack and was ordered to withdraw through the perimeter of a contiguous company's sector into the Battalion Reserve. MSG Vangsness led a group of men across a river in the initial phase of the withdrawal. By skillful maneuvering he led the men through an area covered by hostile fire and had arrived at the crest of a hill a short distance from friendly lines when he was critically wounded. When one of the men in the group attempted to assist him, MSG Vangsness, despite his awareness that remaining in his precarious position meant almost certain death, ordered the men who had offered to assist him to leave the area immediately and save themselves from capture. By his selfless regard for the welfare of his comrades, MSG Vangsness was instrumental in saving the lives of a large number of men who would otherwise have been captured or killed. His courageous actions 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
World War II Victory 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 Master Sergeant Ralph J. Vangsness (ASN: RA-6858371), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Vangsness distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Hwanggan, Korea, on 28 July 1950. On this date Company C bore the brunt of a determined enemy attack and the unit was ordered to withdraw through the perimeter of a contiguous company's sector into the battalion reserve. Sergeant Vangsness led a group of men across a river in the initial phase of the withdrawal. By skillful maneuvering he led the men through an area covered by withering hostile fire and had arrived at the crest of a hill a short distance from friendly lines when he was critically wounded. When one of the men in the group attempted to assist him, Sergeant Vangsness, heedless of his own plight and aware that remaining in his precarious position meant almost certain death, ordered the men who had offered to assist him to leave the area immediately and save themselves from capture. By his conspicuous courage, selfless regard for the welfare of his comrades, and exemplary leadership, Master Sergeant Vangsness was instrumental in saving the lives of a large number of men who would otherwise have been captured or killed.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 89 (October 1, 1950)

Burial

Master Sergeant Ralph John Vangsness is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 33, Site 11109.

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