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 First Class Larry L. Hawks, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States while serving as a Detachment Senior Engineer Sergeant with Operational Detachment Alpha 323 (ODA-323), 1st Battalion, 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), attached to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 24 July 2005 to 25 July 2005 in Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Hawks, while conducting an armed reconnaissance of a town, came under intense enemy small arms, rocket propelled grenade, and mortar fire. While moving to interdict enemy combatants attempting to reposition themselves on the high ground west of the village, he discovered one of his comrades was pinned down by enemy fire. Sergeant First Class Hawks, without regard for his own safety dismounted from his vehicle and charged toward the enemy position on the high ground. Under continuous fire, he engaged and neutralized the enemy position. Having eliminated the threat and taking the position on the high ground. Sergeant First Class Hawks and two other Soldiers who had joined him held the position while continuing to receive harassing fire. From this position, he relayed information to the detachment mortar team, helicopter gunships, and command elements throughout the fourteen hour battle and effectively directed his team to destroy the enemy in the town. His distinctive bravery and valor contributed to fifteen confirmed enemy killed in action, the capture of fourteen insurgents, and the recovery of over thirty light and heavy weapons. Sergeant First Class Hawks’ actions in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Joint Task Force, and the United States Army.