SERGEANT JOSEPH D. DICK, Infantry, a member of Company B, 7th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action near Chungjang-ni, Korea, on 14 February 1951. His platoon, defending Hill 151, had been attacked by numerically superior hostile forces during the night when the platoon leader was seriously wounded. Sergeant Dick, who had left the platoon command post to take up a position on the line in order to more effectively direct the automatic weapon fire on the attackers, crawled through deadly hostile fire and carried his platoon leader to a place of safety. The wounded platoon commander ordered a withdrawal but Sergeant Dick nevertheless returned to the line, reorganized the battered platoon and continued the defense of the position. When an enemy soldier threw a hand grenade into the midst of the staunch defenders, Sergeant Dick quickly picked it up, threw it back at the thrower, killing him and two other enemy soldiers. Leading an inspired counterattack he fired continually into the enemy horde until his ammunition was exhausted, then picked up the weapon of a Chinese Communist he had killed and continued to lead the platoon. Again running out of ammunition he took over the automatic weapon of a wounded man, continued the fierce assault , and succeeded in securing Hill 151. During his daring exploits he was wounded but refused medical attention until he had assured the defense of the position. Sergeant Dick’s heroic action, indomitable courage and sustained devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.

Mr. Dick joined the L.O.V. in 1986 and resided in Massachusetts.