Donald Earl Rodstrom
Corporal, U.S. Army

In September 1950, then-Private First Class Donald Earl Rodstrom was serving as a Medical Aidman attached to an Infantry Company of the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in Korea.

On 12 September, PFC Rodstrom's unit was engaged with enemy forces near Taegu, Korea. PFC Rodstrom was a Medical Aidman to an infantry company attacking a heavily defended and fortified enemy position when it came under a barrage of extremely heavy enemy mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire and was forced to seek cover. Seeing a comrade lying wounded in an open area in full view of the enemy and completely exposed to their devastating fire, PFC Rodstrom left his position of cover and moved forward to render emergency medical treatment. Ignoring the enemy fire that was directed at him, PFC Rodstrom provided aid to the man until he himself was mortally wounded. PFC Rodstrom's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Rodstrom received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Corporal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Medical Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Donald E. Rodstrom (ASN: RA-18099417), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with as a Medical Aidman attached to an Infantry Company of the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Private First Class Rodstrom distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Taegu, Korea, on 12 September 1950. Private First Class Rodstrom was an aidman to an infantry company attacking a heavily defended and fortified enemy position when it came under a barrage of extremely heavy enemy mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire and was forced to seek cover. Seeing a comrade lying wounded in an open area in full view of the enemy and completely exposed to their devastating fire, Private First Class Rodstrom, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, left his position of cover and moved forward to render emergency medial treatment. Disregarding the hail of enemy fire that was directed at him, and though in a position that offered no cover whatsoever, Private First Class Rodstrom continued to aid his comrade until he himself was mortally wounded.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 37 (January 22, 1951)

Burial

Corporal Donald Earl Rodstrom is buried at Greenwood Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=126874814