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 (Corps of Engineers) Lee Edward Beahler, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company D, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Beahler distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea, on 2 September 1950. When an enemy force supported by artillery and armor continued an attack which had already overrun three infantry battalions, the 2d Engineer Battalion was rushed into the line to hold the vital communications center of Yongsan, which was the key to the pass leading back to Miryang on the Pusan-Taegu lifeline. With other elements of the battalion fighting as infantry south of the town, Company D was given a “stand or die” mission overlooking Yongsan itself. Deployed without supporting artillery or mortars, the unit beat off two enemy attacks, but at a cost of twelve dead and eighteen wounded, including all of the company officers except for Lieutenant Beahler. Assuming command of the battered and shaken unit, he rushed from man to man directing the fire of their small-arms, automatic-weapons, and rocket launchers in such a manner as to regain fire superiority. When the enemy returned to the attack for a third time, and actually penetrated into the town with tanks, Lieutenant Beahler, fearlessly exposing himself to the heavy fire being directed at him, maneuvered his men to more advantageous positions from which they soon destroyed one of the enemy tanks with a rocket fired at close range. Ranging up and down his line, this Engineer Officer inspired his men to pour a devastating fire upon the advancing North Koreans until the attack was broken up and the enemy driven back. By his superb leadership and aggressive actions throughout the entire day, the town was saved and the threat to the whole position was eliminated. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Beahler on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.