Hospital Corpsman Foster, Fred T. Navy Navy Cross HOSPITAL CORPSMAN TOWNSEND FOSTER United States Navy For his extraordinary heroism while serving as a Hospital Corpsman with a Marine Infantry Company First Marine Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yudam-ni, Korea, on 28 November 1950. When his platoon suffered five casualties while reinforcing a friendly unit subjected to a concerted enemy night attack, Foster unhesitatingly proceeded to the aid of the wounded men and, braving intense hostile small-arms and grenade fire, personally evacuated all five from the heavily engaged front lines. Exercising outstanding initiative, he established a temporary aid station in a warm-out tent approximately fifty yards behind the lines, thereby providing protection for the wounded against the bitter sub-zero temperatures. When at one point the enemy succeeded in forcing a penetration of the friendly line and threatened to overrun his aid station, he quickly organized a defense perimeter, utilizing the less seriously wounded of the thirty casualties for whom he was then caring and, skillfully placing them to disrupt all enemy attempts to take the position, carried on with his treatment of the wounded. Returning periodically to insure the security of the perimeter, Foster found the men particularly hard-pressed on one occasion, and seizing a rifle in defense of the helpless wounded, killed three of the enemy. Although the hostile fire steadily increased in violence, riddling his tent and inflicting wounds on the casualties, he steadfastly refused to seek cover and moved continually about, giving aid and comfort to the wounded and tenaciously defending his post. When at daybreak the enemy attackers were repulsed, he immediately took charge of an evacuation detail and successfully removed all casualties to the battalion aid station approximately one mile distant. His heroic initiative, selfless determination and valiant devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds reflect the highest credit upon Foster and the United States Naval Service.