FIRST LIEUTENANT RICHARD F. LAUER, then Second Lieutenant, Infantry, United States Army, Company B, 35th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy near the Han River in Korea on 7 March 1951. Following an assault landing across the river by his company, the assault platoon became subjected to intense hostile fire from a small hill some five hundred yards to the east. Ordered up the river to draw enemy fire and relieve pressure on the assault platoon, he deployed his platoon and opened fire, only to be pinned by a vicious cross-fire from two machine guns, approximately seventy-five yards distant. Running forty yards through the fire-swept area, Lieutenant Lauer secured a rifle and grenade adapter, crawled closer and fired two grenades into the position on the right which knocked it out. When the gun on the left again pinned down his platoon, he advanced alone and fired three grenades into this hostile emplacement which due to its construction, proved ineffective. Circling the emplacement, he bayonetted an enemy soldier who was firing on his platoon and, dropping a grenade into the escape vent, silenced the gun and annihilated its crew. Leaping to his feet and shouting orders to fix bayonets and charge, his men, so inspired by his heroic action, made a frontal assault against the hill, killed twenty-one hostile troops and completely routed their remaining force. Lt. Lauer, in his daring exploits, had personally knocked out two machine guns and killed five of the determined enemy. His courageous conduct, indomitable determination and outstanding combat leadership reflect the highest credit upon himself, and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the infantry and United States Army.

LTC Lauer is a life member and resides in North Carolina.