Private First Class Eugene A. Oberegon
United States Marine Corps
For service as set forth in the following:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above the call of duty while
serving with Company G, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine
Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Seoul,
Korea, on 26 September 1950. While serving as an ammunition carrier of
a machine-gun squad in a Marine Rifle Company which was temporarily pinned
down by hostile fire, Private First Class Obregon observed a fellow Marine
fall wounded in the line of fire. Armed only with a pistol, he unhesitatingly
dashed from his covered position to the side of the casualty. Firing his
pistol with one hand and, despite the great peril to himself, dragged him
to the side of the road. Still under enemy fire, he was bandaging the man's
wounds when hostile troops of approximately platoon strength began advancing
towards his position. Quickly seizing the wounded Marine's carbine, he
placed his own body as a shield in front of him and lay there firing accurately
and effectively into the hostile group until he himself was fatally wounded
by enemy machine-gun fire. By his courageous fighting spirit, fortitude
and loyal devotion to duty, Private First Class Obregon enabled his fellow
Marines to rescue the wounded man and aided essentially in repelling the
attack, thereby sustaining the highest traditions of the United States
Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Harry S. Truman
President of the United States