United States. A Distinguished Service Cross to Sgt. Griego, 38th Inf., Machine Gun Cover, MIA, Taeusan Korea, 1951.

United States. Distinguished Service Cross, bronze, 45mm (w) x 51mm (h), reverse engraved SIMON GRIEGO, 18121 impressed on edge of 6 o’clock arm, on original ribbon with brooch pinback, slight tarnishing, extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by original packaging and photocopied research relating to the recommendation for award.

Footnote: Simon Griego was born on February 18, 1928. He enlisted for the United States Army in Arizona, originally from the county of Maricopa. Sgt Griego served in the 1st Battalion of the 38th Infantry, during the Korean War. On July 26, 1951, around 1500hrs, the 38th Infantry was in the battle zone known as the Punchbowl, near Taeusan, Korea, attempting to gain a critical position strongly defended by the enemy. Sgt Griego was leading a machine-gun squad,  of which every member but himself became a casualty when they entered heavy machine gun and small-arms fire. To relieve his comrades, Griego took his gun and ammunition to an exposed position where he could better aim at the hostile forces. Several individuals that witnessed Griego’s bravery provided affidavits to endorse the recommendation for the distinguished service cross. 1st Lt. Glenn F. Koch stated that Griego’s “squad were all casualties but this failed to hamper his valiant efforts as he literally became a one man machine gun squad.” While providing heavy fire he was wounded greatly, but elected to stay, allowing the wounded soldiers to be moved to safety. Several times he raced to the rear, 15, 25 and 35 yards to restock his ammunition, before returning to his gun. Two soldiers rushed to his aid, but he ordered them to get to friendly positions.

The Citation reads, “Sergeant SIMON GRIEGO, RA3986319, Infantry, United States Army, a member of Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations near Taeusan, Korea, on 26 July 1951. Committed to attack and secure key terrain tenaciously defended by a ruthless hostile force occupying well-fortified bunkers, the 1st Platoon moved up the rugged approaches to the hill and, coming under devastating automatic weapons, mortar and small-arms fire, suffered numerous casualties. Sergeant GRIEGO, leader of a machine gun squad, realising that encirclement was imminent, immediately displaced his gun to an open forward vantage from which he brought destruction fire to bear on enemy emplacements, slowing the assault and enabling evacuation of the wounded. Since the other members of his squad had been wounded in the initial phase of the action, Sergeant GRIEGO carried ammunition, manned the weapon and, when his ammunition was expended, made repeated trips through withering fire to the rear approximately 20 yards away to replenish his supply. Although sustaining a painful wound in this bitterly contested encounter, Sergeant GRIEGO maintained his magnificent stand until a grenade burse rendered his leg useless, and was last seen being evacuated to a nearby position. Sergeant GRIEGO’s consummate valor and intrepid actions inspired all who observed him, resulted in a heavy toll of enemy casualties, reflect utmost credit upon himself and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.”

Following this event, Sgt Griego was missing in action and was presumed dead December 31, 1953. The distinguished service cross was awarded posthumously to Sgt Simon Griego in September 1952.