Joseph J. Batluck’s Distinguished Service Cross citation
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
HAS AWARDED
THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
TO
JOSEPH JACK BATLUCK, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
FOR
EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION
CITATION:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Joseph Jack Batluck (1082444), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with the Company H, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Provisional Marine Brigade (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in action against enemy aggressor forces northeast of Chindong-ni, Korea, on 8 August 1950. When his company was pinned down by heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire, Corporal Batluck repeatedly and fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to control and reorganize his squad. This action aided materially in reestablishing the assault lines and thereby gave his company fire superiority over the enemy, resulting in successful continuation of the attack. Further, assisted by a comrade, he voluntarily and without regard for his own safety, made repeated trips through enemy fire-swept terrain to evacuate six wounded Marines, enabling them to receive prompt medical attention. In this heroic action Corporal Batluck was mortally wounded.
Born: 14 April 1930… Home of Record: Scranton, Pa…. Interred at Abington Hills Cemetery in South Abington Township, Pa.