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 Staff Sergeant Howard Paul Hampstead (ASN: 34041331), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Balete Pass, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 25 April 1945. Staff Sergeant Hampstead’s platoon encountered Japanese forces firmly entrenched in the mountainous, cave-riddled Balete Pass. He led his men down a reverse slope and his men came under increasingly heavy rifle and automatic fire. They tried to destroy the enemy with grenades, but the enemy quickly picked up the grenades and threw them back before they could explode. Sergeant Hampstead, arming himself with several phosphorus grenades, slowly climbed up the slope and methodically began wiping out the occupants of each cape. At all times he was subject to intense fire, but he threw at least one grenade into each cave and cleared out all three, killing fourteen of the enemy. His men, inspired by his example, charged the remaining enemy-occupied positions and captured four cannon. Staff Sergeant Hampstead’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.