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 Private First Class Edward Grady Halcomb (ASN: RA-15256370), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with Company B, First Battalion, 29th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division, from 20 August 1950 to 19 October 1950 on the Korean Peninsula. Wounded, captured and imprisoned in Seoul after the Battle of Anui, Private First Class Halcomb despite his junior rank, assumed the responsibilities of chief medic, caring for the American Prisoners of War. He supervised nine other medics and cared for the most severely wounded while exposing himself to rampant diseases afflicting the starving and dying patients. When the enemy retreated from Seoul, he alone volunteered to stay with the weakest prisoners who were forced to walk with the main column on a grueling 120 mile march to Pyongyung. By placing himself with the most disabled, Private First Class Halcomb increased the probably of his own execution as the enemy guards executed soldiers whose physical condition became a burden or slowed the pace. Once the column reached Pyongyang, he helped plan and conduct a successful daring escape with four other soldiers from the heavily guarded city. He demonstrated persistent courage, compassion and self-sacrifice in the face of enemy brutality and starvation. Private First Class Halcomb’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect credit upon himself, the 24th Infantry Division and the United States Army.