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 Private Courtney Louis Stanley, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private Stanley distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Um-Dong, Korea, on 17 March 1953. On that date, Private Stanley’s position came under intense attack by hostile forces. After a fierce hand-to-hand battle, the enemy succeeded in penetrating the defense and overran the position. During this action Private Stanley discovered a battalion commander lying in a trench, severely wounded. Disregarding all thoughts of personal safety, Private Stanley carried the wounded officer across fire-swept terrain to a bunker where he found a medical aidman attending another casualty. Leaving the wounded officer to the care of the aidman, Private Stanley then took up an exposed position at the doorway of the bunker to prevent the entry of enemy soldiers. When he heard several of enemy troops talking a short distance away, Private Stanley, fearing they were plotting an attack over the roof of the bunker, charged the group with grenades and annihilated them. He then returned to his position at the entrance of the bunker and, oblivious to the close proximity of exploding mortar and artillery rounds, succeeded in repulsing another hostile assault. Observing two more wounded comrades lying to the front of the bunker, Private Stanley moved across the open terrain and brought them to safety. During the next three hours Private Stanley remained exposed to the intense enemy fire, guarding the entrance to the bunker against seven enemy assaults. When reinforcements arrived, the wounded men were safely evacuated. Although he had been slightly wounded himself, Private Stanley remained on the position until the enemy forces had been repulsed. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Private Stanley on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.