Gerhardt Hermann Weber
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

In August 1950, First Lieutenant Gerhardt Hermann Weber was serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 23 August, 1LT Weber's unit was engaged with enemy forces near Haman, South Korea, and 1LT Weber was leading his platoon in an assault upon an enemy held position that was supported by two machine-guns and artillery and mortar sections. Intense enemy fire from the machine-guns, coupled with a heavy artillery and mortar barrage, caused the platoon to seek cover. As 1LT Weber and five men advanced, the enemy machine-gunner pinned them down. Determined to achieve his mission, 1LT Weber continued advancing despite the deadly enemy fire. Although wounded by fragments from a grenade, he kept going. After maneuvering to within five feet of one of the enemy machine-guns, and despite a second wound, he tossed a grenade into the enemy position, killing all of the crew. Two of his men reached him and tried to evacuate him, but an enemy mortar round burst within five feet of the trio and fatally wounded 1LT Weber. Due to 1LT Weber's courageous actions, the platoon was able to continue the assault and take the objective. 1LT Weber's extraordinary heroism 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
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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Gerhardt H. Weber (ASN: 0-60810), 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, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Weber distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in near Haman, Korea, on 23 August 1950. On that date, Lieutenant Weber was leading his platoon in an assault upon an enemy held position which was supported by two machine-guns and artillery and mortar sections. Intense fire from the machine-guns, coupled with a heavy artillery and mortar barrage, caused the platoon to seek cover. Lieutenant Weber and five men continued to advance, but the enemy machine-gunner pinned them down. Determined to accomplish his mission, Lieutenant Weber continued to advance despite the deadly enemy fire. He was wounded by fragments from a grenade but he still kept going. He managed to maneuver to within five feet of one of the enemy machine-guns, and although wounded again, tossed a grenade into the enemy position, killing all of the crew. Two of his men reached him at this time and attempted to evacuate him, but an enemy mortar shell burst within five feet of the trio and fatally wounded Lieutenant Weber. Because of his inspiring actions and gallant sacrifice, the platoon was able to continue the assault and overrun the objective.</p>

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 18 (January 12, 1951), as amended by Section V of General Orders No. 46 (1951), HQ Eighth U.S. Army Korea.

Burial

First Lieutenant Gerhardt Hermann Weber is buried at the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, NY, in Plot D, 0, 1109.

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