Aivars Salenieks

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Aivars K. Salenieks (RA16404084), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Private Salenieks distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Ku-dong, Korea, on 18 October 1952.

Private Salenieks was a member of a squad occupying a position on the main line of resistance. Shortly after midnight, friendly forces were subjected to an intense and accurate barrage of enemy artillery and mortar fire and a company of hostile troops stormed the position. Two friendly gun emplacements were neutralized by the heavy fire and the enemy overran one of the trenches, isolating Private Salenieks an four comrades from the rest of the company. In the ensuing action, he directed accurate rifle fire at the enemy troops approaching from the rear while his comrades warded off a frontal attack. After he had killed two the charging foe and wounded several others, the enemy hurled a grenade into their bunker and Private Salenieks lost his life when it exploded.
Department of the Army: General Orders No. 49 (June 9, 1953)
Home Town: Kalamazoo, Michigan