The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Daniel E. Cowart, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy while serving as a Team Leader in the 1st Platoon, Company D, 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 13 May 2007, near Samarra, Iraq. During the conduct of a combat patrol along a main supply route, Sergeant Cowart’s platoon halted to conduct a traffic checkpoint. When the occupants of a stopped vehicle would not exit their vehicle, Sergeant Cowart and three of his comrades dismounted their vehicle and approached the stopped vehicle and took positions to engage with the occupants . While they were near the vehicle, the occupants burst from the vehicle, one wielding a rifle which he fired at two of the nearby Soldiers and the other wearing a suicide vest. As the rifle wielding insurgent was engaged by another Soldier, Sergeant Cowart maneuvered around the vehicle and engaged the suicide vest wearing insurgent in hand-to-hand combat, tackling the man hurling himself and the man away from the vehicle. Despite the confusion, the insurgent detonated his vest, thereby traumatically wounding sergeant Cowart. Due to his ability to discern the threat to his comrades and his utter disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Cowart was able to prevent further injury to his fellow Soldiers and nearby civilians. Sergeant Cowart’s actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Cavalry Regiment, and the United States Army.