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 Technical Sergeant Kenneth Byron Powelson (ASN: 33965600), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 28 January 1945. Technical Sergeant Powelson’s company was advancing across Clark Field toward Fort Stotsenberg, Luzon, Philippine Islands, and was acting as squad leader when his squad was suddenly pinned down 200 yards from a heavily fortified position. As he rose to determine the location of the enemy, a burst of machine gun fire shattered his rifle, but he bravely continued on, unarmed. Coming upon two wounded men, he administered first aid and immediately ordered up automatic riflemen to cover the wounded as well as to fire upon a vital crossroads. Finding three more wounded men, he realized that immediate action was necessary to save the company from annihilation, and began to work his way back to direct mortar fire against the enemy emplacements. Following washouts and ditches, and dashing fearlessly across 50 yards of exposed area, he reached the mortars and accurately directed their fire. Voluntarily leading a half-track through a mine field to rescue several groups of wounded, he located three helpless men and loaded them into the vehicle. When the half-track was subjected to devastating cross fire from enemy machine guns, he jumped into it, and manning its heavy machine gun, raked the enemy positions until his gun jammed. Snatching a carbine, he brought down two of the enemy and as the half-track departed for the company command post, he jumped to the ground, and, with complete disregard for his own safety, ran to the side of two other wounded men. When the half-track returned, he loaded the men into it and again the enemy opened up with deadly fire as the vehicle ran into a crater and stalled. Working furiously, he eliminated the stoppage in the machine gun and killed four fleeing Japanese. Then concentrating accurate fire on the position on the left, he silenced it, dashing 40 yards to rescue three more wounded men from a platoon on his right, and directed the half-track back through the mine field. A successful counterattack was then launched and the company completed its mission. Through his indomitable fighting spirit, Technical Sergeant Powelson saved the lives of a number of his comrades, and set an inspiring example of courage which reflect the highest traditions of the military service.