The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Donald J. Hurt (ASN: NG-25743146), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company G, 2d Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Sergeant Hurt distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Pokkea Ridge in the Yonchon-Chorwan area of Korea on 10 April 1952. While conducting a night patrol operation, Sergeant Hurt was leading his platoon through an abandoned village when they came under intense fire from enemy automatic weapons located on a small hill. After insuring that the platoon was in the proper defensive position, Sergeant Hurt fearlessly started up the hill with his carbine and several grenades to engage the enemy. At this time, he was knocked down and seriously wounded by a grenade blast. Completely disregarding his wounds, he managed to get back on his feet and throw several grenades to silence an enemy automatic weapon which was located on the forward slope of the hill. Additional enemy automatic weapons fire was now coming from the top of the hill and from the left right slopes. Continuing to ignore the pain caused by his wounds, Sergeant Hurt called for an artillery barrage to neutralize the enemy positions. Only after all enemy fire had ceased did he finally consent to be evacuated for medical treatment. The gallantry and aggressiveness displayed by Sergeant Hurt directly resulted in routing the enemy and minimizing the casualties suffered by his comrades in this battle. His extraordinarily heroic actions, at the ultimate cost of his own life the next day, were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of military service and reflect the highest credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.