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 Major General Clark Louis Ruffner (ASN: 0-15968), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding General of the 2d Infantry Division. Major General Ruffner distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Hangyi and Umyang-ni, Korea, during the period from 16 through 24 May 1951. On 16 May 1951, after an ominous build-up of strength, the Chinese Communist forces launched a massive offensive against the Second Infantry Division and two Republic of Korea divisions of the United States X Corps with a force of an estimated 96,000 troops. Although the attack was expected and enormous casualties were inflicted on the enemy, the situation became critical on 18 May 1951, when the Republic of Korea forces, overrun by a numerically preponderant enemy force, collapsed and exposed the right flank of the Second Infantry Division. At this juncture, General Ruffner personally visited the most forward positions to rally his troops and reorganize the defense on a new line. Through his coolness, efficiency and indifference to danger, he assisted in extricating several units which had been cut off, narrowly escaping death on one occasion when the helicopter in which he was riding crashed on a mountain peak within sight of the enemy. On 20 and 21 May 1951, General Ruffner moved his division in a difficult lateral maneuver across the battlefront, then personally led a counterattack against the enemy. As a result of this brilliantly executed counterattack, the hostile forces were routed after suffering losses thirty times as great as those sustained by the Second Division. On 24 May 1951, General Ruffner organized and led a special task force to seize and secure a bridgehead across the Soyang River and sever enemy escape routes to the north. When the troops were stopped by enemy mortar fire, General Ruffner drove his jeep near the head of the tank-infantry column over a road that had not been swept for mines and through the areas of the hostile mortar fire. This fearless action so inspired the officers and men of the task force that they mounted their vehicles and immediately resumed the advance. By his brave and daring leadership the objective was secured in minimum time, thus putting a force twelve miles deep into the territory held by the enemy force and severing two of its main avenues of escape to the north. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Major General Ruffner on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.