Navy Cross Citation

Maj Kurt Chew-Een Lee
1st Bn,7th Marines
In late 1950, then-1stLt. Kurt Chew-Een Lee was serving as the Machine-Gun Platoon commander for Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea. Immediately taking countermeasures when a numerically superior enemy fiercely attacked his platoon and overran its left flank, 1stLt. Lee boldly exposed himself to intense hostile automatic weapons, grenade and sniper small-arms fire to carry out reconnaissance, well in advance of his own lines, in order to re-deploy the machine-gun posts within the defensive perimeter. Momentarily forced back by extremely heavy opposition, he quickly reorganized his unit and, instructing his men to cover his approach, bravely moved up an enemy held slope in a deliberate attempt to draw fire and thereby disclose hostile troop positions. Despite serious wounds sustained as he pushed forward, 1stLt. Lee charged directly into the face of the enemy fire and, by his dauntless fighting spirit and resourcefulness, served to inspire other members of his platoon to heroic efforts in pressing a determined counterattack and driving the hostile forces from the sector. Lee is also a recipient of the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts and a Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V. (P/C The Smithsonian & New York Times)

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