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 (Infantry) James E. Stacy, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Executive Officer, 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Major Stacy distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chaun-ni, Korea, on 18 May 1951. On that date, Major Stacy’s command post was surrounded by an overwhelming enemy force that had infiltrated friendly lines and established a road block to the rear of the battalion. Realizing that the encircled command post was in imminent danger of being overrun, Major Stacy organized a small group of men and attempted to save the battalion vehicles and equipment by running the roadblock. As the column approached the roadblock, the two lead tanks were knocked out and the advance halted. When it became apparent that the vehicles could not get past the roadblock, he ordered his group to abandon the vehicles and make their way to friendly lines. Loading wounded men who were unable to walk into a vehicle, he personally drove the vehicle cross-country through withering enemy fire in order to reach friendly lines with the casualties. Upon reaching friendly lines, he notified the supporting artillery of the location of the 3d Battalion and its proposed route of escape to prevent the artillery from firing on the friendly force. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Major Stacy on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.