MAJOR EARLE H. JORDAN, JR. (then Captain), Infantry, United States Army Commanding Officer, Company M, 3d Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action agaist an armed enemy of the United Nations near the Chosin Reservoir, Korea, from 28 November to 2 December 1950. The 3d Battalion, in defensive positions for the night, was surrounded and ferociously attacked at approximately 0500 hours on 28 November by a numerically superior hostile force, seriously penetrating the outer line of resistance, inflicting heavy casualties and causing a disorderly withdrawal of troops from the east side of the perimeter. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Major Jordan, despite intense mortar, automatic weapons, small arms and grenade fire, rallied and reorganized the withdrawing troops and personally supervised the establishment of a new perimeter. During the ensuing two days he fearlessly led his command against repeated attacks and constantly braved withering machine gun and mortar fire to move among his men, encouraging and deploying them to insure maximum defense of each position. Upon orders to withdraw, Major Jordan supervised the evacuation of the wounded and, while directing the retrograde action of his unit, two road blocks were encountered by the mortar convoy. Major Jordan immediately rallied, organized and led determined attacks against well-entrenched positions on high ground, routing the routhless foe from their strong-points and enabling the convoy to resume its march. Although seriously wounded, Major Jordan held his foces together and, dominating and controlling the critical situation through sheer force of his forces together and, dominating and controlling the successful completion of the mission. Major Jordan’s inspirational leadership, unflinching courage and intrepid actions reflect utmost credit on himself and the honored traditions of the military service.

This award supersedes the award of the Silver Star to Major Jordan, for gallantry in action during the same period, published in General Orders 227, Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division, 1951.

LTC. Jordan is a life member, and joined the Legion of Valor in 1985.