MAJOR GEORGE P. PSIHAS, USAR, for extraordinary heroism as a patrol leader in the vicinity of Naebongchon, Korea on the night of 28 May 1952. The then Lieutenant Psihas, a member of the 45th Infantry Division was commanding a small patrol in an outpost beyond friendly lines when he suddenly detected the sound of movement in the darkness before him. Standing up, he saw that a hostile force was creeping toward the friendly entrenchments. He immediately opened fire with his carbine, and a pitched battle ensued, with the numerically superior enemy swarming into the defensive positions to engage in vicious, direct conflict with the friendly troops. Although his carbine jammed, Lieutenant Psihas continued to direct the fire of his men and to engage the foe in hand-to-hand combat. Inspired by his example of personal fearlessness, the friendly forces managed to repulse the fanatical enemy assault. Despite the fact that he had been wounded in battle, Lieutenant Psihas, refusing medical attention, hurriedly prepared his men for a second attack. When the attack came, he supervised the defense as the enemy forces were again thrown back, suffering heavy casualties. Still refusing medical aid, Lieutenant Psihas saw that his men had almost exhausted their supply of ammunition. Unhesitatingly he left the relative safety of the trenches and, moving quickly over the battlefield, gathered ammunition from the fallen enemy dead. No sooner had the ammunition been distributed, than the hostile force launched a third attack, swarming up the hill in a frenzied attempt to dislodge the friendly patrol. Displaying superb leadership and matchless fighting spirit, Lieutenant Psihas once more directed the fire of his men with such effectiveness that the onslaught was repulsed. Only when a relief force arrived did Lieutenant Psihas allow himself to be evacuated. The extraordinary heroism and completely selfless devotion to duty he displayed on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the most esteemed traditions of the military service.

LTC Psihas joined the Legion of Valor in 1972 and resides in Mississippi.