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I thought some of you would appreciate this story.
My Uncle Miguel was stationed at the Korean DMZ back in the 80's as a Cav Scout. While visiting the Dominican Republic in 2008, he sat down with my Uncle Ramon and they both started talking about their Army days. My older Uncle Ramon had been in the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. I guess my Uncle Ramon felt comfortable talking about Korea with my Uncle Mike, so he started telling stories he'd never told anyone else.
One of Uncle Ramon's stories was that of a friend, SFC Modesto Cartagena, that had fought with him in Korea. My Uncle Mike remembered this name (its a rare name), and while reading the Antelope Valley Press this month, realized it was the same man who had passed away on March 2nd.
SFC Modesto Cartagena was wounded on April 19th, 1951.
PVT Ramon Rubio Martinez was wounded on June 3rd, 1951.
"The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Modesto Cartagena (RA10404100), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Sergeant Cartagena distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yonch'on, Korea, on 19 April 1951. On that date, Company C was assigned the mission of capturing Hill 206, a terrain feature dominating a critical road junction. When the company assaulted the summit, it encountered stubborn resistance from a well-entrenched and fanatically determined hostile force. Sergeant Cartagena, directed to move his squad forward in order to approach the enemy positions from another ridgeline, led his men toward the objective, but, almost immediately, the group was forced to seek cover from an intense and accurate volume of small-arms and automatic-weapons fire. Locating the hostile emplacements that posed the greatest obstacle to the advance of the friendly forces, Sergeant Cartagena left his position and, charging directly into the devastating enemy fire he hurled a grenade at the first emplacement, totally destroying it. Ordering his squad to remain under cover, he successfully and single-handedly assaulted the second enemy position. Although knocked to the ground by exploding enemy grenades, Sergeant Cartagena repeated this daring action three more times. Finally, an increased volume of fire from the remaining hostile emplacements was concentrated on him and he was wounded. The extraordinary heroism and completely selfless devotion, to duty displayed by Sergeant Cartagena throughout this action enabled the company to secure its objective successfully with a minimum of casualties, reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 698 (September 16, 1951) Home Town: , Puerto Rico"
My Uncle Miguel was stationed at the Korean DMZ back in the 80's as a Cav Scout. While visiting the Dominican Republic in 2008, he sat down with my Uncle Ramon and they both started talking about their Army days. My older Uncle Ramon had been in the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. I guess my Uncle Ramon felt comfortable talking about Korea with my Uncle Mike, so he started telling stories he'd never told anyone else.
One of Uncle Ramon's stories was that of a friend, SFC Modesto Cartagena, that had fought with him in Korea. My Uncle Mike remembered this name (its a rare name), and while reading the Antelope Valley Press this month, realized it was the same man who had passed away on March 2nd.
SFC Modesto Cartagena was wounded on April 19th, 1951.
PVT Ramon Rubio Martinez was wounded on June 3rd, 1951.
"The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Modesto Cartagena (RA10404100), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Sergeant Cartagena distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yonch'on, Korea, on 19 April 1951. On that date, Company C was assigned the mission of capturing Hill 206, a terrain feature dominating a critical road junction. When the company assaulted the summit, it encountered stubborn resistance from a well-entrenched and fanatically determined hostile force. Sergeant Cartagena, directed to move his squad forward in order to approach the enemy positions from another ridgeline, led his men toward the objective, but, almost immediately, the group was forced to seek cover from an intense and accurate volume of small-arms and automatic-weapons fire. Locating the hostile emplacements that posed the greatest obstacle to the advance of the friendly forces, Sergeant Cartagena left his position and, charging directly into the devastating enemy fire he hurled a grenade at the first emplacement, totally destroying it. Ordering his squad to remain under cover, he successfully and single-handedly assaulted the second enemy position. Although knocked to the ground by exploding enemy grenades, Sergeant Cartagena repeated this daring action three more times. Finally, an increased volume of fire from the remaining hostile emplacements was concentrated on him and he was wounded. The extraordinary heroism and completely selfless devotion, to duty displayed by Sergeant Cartagena throughout this action enabled the company to secure its objective successfully with a minimum of casualties, reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 698 (September 16, 1951) Home Town: , Puerto Rico"
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