CORPORAL EARL C. PHOENIX, JR., Infantry, U.S. Army, Company M, 24th Infantry Regiment. Distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action near Takhyan-dong, Korea, on 27 November 1950. He was assigned as machine gunner on the lead vehicle of a combat patrol committed to recover a vehicle lost in an ambush earlier in the day when the patrol came under heavy hostile fire from mortars, automatic weapons, and small arms that halted its advance. Corporal Phoenix immediately opened fire on the enemy which retarded their attack, limited their fire power, and allowed his comrades to dismount and set up defensive positions. When hit by enemy fire and knocked from the vehicle, he struggled back to his position and continued firing. Struck a second time by enemy fire, he ignored his wounds and continued to deliver deadly fire against the assailants until his ammunition became exhausted. He then rendered his weapon unserviceable to the enemy before consenting to be evacuated. His determined action enabled his patrol to contain the enemy attack until aid could be summoned and the wounded evacuated. The heroic actions and sustained devotion to duty exemplified by Corporal Phoenix reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.

Mr Phoenix resided in California.