Rufus Lloyd Ketchum
Encyclopedia
Rufus Lloyd Ketchum was a Sergeant
in the United States Army
during the Korean War
. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
for his actions during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir
.
His award citation reads:
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 Sergeant Rufus Lloyd Ketchum (ASN: RA-18103207), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. Sergeant Ketchum distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of the Changjin (Chosin) Reservoir in North Korea during the period 28 through 30 November 1950. After the numerically superior enemy attacked and surrounded elements of the battalion and isolated the medical officer, Sergeant Ketchum assumed charge of the aidmen and, after establishing a collection point and an aid station in a native house, he moved fearlessly about the impact area in full view and under direct enemy fire to minister to and evacuate the wounded. Constantly vulnerable to vicious hostile fire, he supervised the search for blankets, sleeping bags, and parachutes to protect his patients from the bitter cold and foraged for coffee and other material comforts to meliorate their condition. Upon being ordered to withdraw, Sergeant Ketchum directed and assisted in placing the disabled in vehicles to form a motor convoy. Enemy fire was continuous and intense, and the progress of the column further impeded by a blinding snow storm, icy roads, and rugged mountainous terrain. After several vehicles were immobilized by hostile fire, Sergeant Ketchum directed transferral of the wounded to serviceable vehicles, and when the advance was halted by an enemy road block and withering fire rained down on the convoy from the surrounding hills wounding him in the chest and left arm, he continued to treat the injured. Sergeant Ketchum was last seen with his arm in a sling and, despite his painful wounds, administering a syrette of morphine to a wounded comrade.
Ketchum's home of record was Burnett, Wisconsin
. He was killed in action on December 6, 1950.
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
for his actions during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir Campaign or the Changjin Lake Campaign ,Official Chinese sources refer to this battle as the Second Phase Campaign Eastern Sector . The Western Sector is the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River. was a decisive battle in the Korean War...
.
His award citation reads:
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 Sergeant Rufus Lloyd Ketchum (ASN: RA-18103207), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. Sergeant Ketchum distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of the Changjin (Chosin) Reservoir in North Korea during the period 28 through 30 November 1950. After the numerically superior enemy attacked and surrounded elements of the battalion and isolated the medical officer, Sergeant Ketchum assumed charge of the aidmen and, after establishing a collection point and an aid station in a native house, he moved fearlessly about the impact area in full view and under direct enemy fire to minister to and evacuate the wounded. Constantly vulnerable to vicious hostile fire, he supervised the search for blankets, sleeping bags, and parachutes to protect his patients from the bitter cold and foraged for coffee and other material comforts to meliorate their condition. Upon being ordered to withdraw, Sergeant Ketchum directed and assisted in placing the disabled in vehicles to form a motor convoy. Enemy fire was continuous and intense, and the progress of the column further impeded by a blinding snow storm, icy roads, and rugged mountainous terrain. After several vehicles were immobilized by hostile fire, Sergeant Ketchum directed transferral of the wounded to serviceable vehicles, and when the advance was halted by an enemy road block and withering fire rained down on the convoy from the surrounding hills wounding him in the chest and left arm, he continued to treat the injured. Sergeant Ketchum was last seen with his arm in a sling and, despite his painful wounds, administering a syrette of morphine to a wounded comrade.
Ketchum's home of record was Burnett, Wisconsin
Burnett, Wisconsin
Burnett is a town in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 919 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Burnett is located in the town, and the unincorporated community of Rolling Prairie is located partially in the town....
. He was killed in action on December 6, 1950.