The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Millard Calvin White (ASN: 0-544863), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant White distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sobangsan, Korea, on 23 June 1951. On that date, Lieutenant White’s company was engaged in an assault against Hill 717, which was being defended by a fanatically determined and well-entrenched force. As Lieutenant White led his platoon toward the objective, the men were forced to seek cover when of a heavy volume of mortar, small-arms and automatic-weapons fire was concentrated on them from the hostile emplacements. Realizing that his men faced annihilation in untenable positions, Lieutenant White, with complete disregard for his personal safety, charged across the fire-swept terrain toward the key enemy emplacement. On the way, he was painfully wounded by fragments from a bursting mortar shell; but despite this, he crawled to within a few yards of the enemy position and succeeded in neutralizing the hostile weapon and killing its crew with grenades. As a result of his courageous action, the hostile troops withdrew from the crest of the hill, enabling the friendly forces to secure their objective. Lieutenant White immediately set about organizing his men in a perimeter defense against the enemy counterattack which was sure to come. When the enemy charged up the slope they were met by a devastating volume of fire from the friendly forces. Accounting for many of the enemy dead himself, Lieutenant White constantly moved among his men, encouraging them and directing their fire. His example of courage so inspired his men that they succeeded in beating off the enemy attack and held the hill. The extraordinary heroism and complete selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant White throughout this action reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.