The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, MSG Edward T. Lydon, RA43009153, who died in the service of his country on November 19th, 1951 in North Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Edward was 24 years of age. He was from Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Edward's Military Occupation Specialty was 1745-Light Weapons Infantry Leader.
The decorations earned by MSG Edward T. Lydon include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Master Sergeant Lydon was a member of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in North Korea on October 15, 1951 and returned to duty on October 19, 1951. On November 19, 1951 near Kumhwa, North Korea, he exposed himself twice to enemy fire for single-handed assaults to destroy enemy positions. He was mortally wounded by enemy small arms fire. For his leadership and valor, Master Sergeant Lydon was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Edward was in the First Platoon of Item Company.
He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania
Lot 25
Range 7
Section 39
His DSC citation:
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Edward T. Lydon (RA43009153), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Lydon distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, on the morning of 19 November 1951. On that morning Sergeant Lydon led his platoon in an attack on a well-entrenched hostile force occupying a strategic hill. As the friendly troops advanced, they were pinned down by intense enemy mortar and automatic-weapons fire. Realizing that his men were at the mercy of the enemy guns in their present positions, Sergeant Lydon, without regard for his personal safety, raced across the fire-swept slope toward the nearest hostile emplacement. From an exposed position, he threw several grenades which destroyed the enemy weapon and killed its crew. With this threat eliminated his platoon resumed its advance but it had proceeded no more than fifty yards when was again halted by deadly accurate enemy fire. Once more, Sergeant Lydon moved forward in a single-handed assault. Despite the heavy enemy fire being concentrated on him, he reached a point within ten yards of the key hostile bunker. From this position, he destroyed the emplacement with grenades. As he exposed himself in order to shout words of encouragement to his men and rally them to the attack, he was hit and mortally wounded by enemy small arms fire. Inspired by his fighting spirit, the friendly force charged forward and routed the hostile troops from the hill with heavy casualties.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 281 (April 26, 1952)
Home Town: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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