SERGEANT CLAUDE R. WALLS, Infantry, United States Army. Sergeant Walls, a member of Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Mug-gol, Korea. On 18 May 1951, the 2d Platoon of Company C had the mission of protecting the forward battalion command post and was deployed on a ridge to the front of the command post. Sergeant Walls, a member of the platoon, was at the observation post of the platoon when a numerically superior enemy force launched a sudden, ferocious attack against the ridge. Armed with an automatic rifle, Sergeant Walls swept the assaulting force with withering automatic-rifle fire, inflicting numerous casualties on the enemy and halting the attack before withdrawing to the platoon perimeter. When the hostile force launched a second attack, the platoon was cut off from the battalion and forced to withdraw in order to reestablish contact. Sergeant Walls and one comrade voluntarily remained in position to cover the withdrawal of the platoon. As the enemy approached to within grenade range of his position, Sergeant Walls leaped from his foxhole and began hurling grenades at the advancing enemy and raking them with deadly automatic-rifle fire. When his comrade was wounded by enemy fire, Sergeant Walls rushed to him, rendered first aid and then began carrying him to safety, stopping every few yards to deliver devastating fire on the enemy. The aggressive actions of Sergeant Walls during his fearless two-hour stand against numerically overwhelming odds enabled his platoon to establish more favorable positions and reorganize for renewed and successful defensive action. The extraordinary heroism of Sergeant Walls reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

Mr. Walls resides in Tennessee and is a LIFE MEMBER.