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 Corporal Robert Cooper (ASN: RA-19350356), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Corporal Cooper distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Changnyong, Korea, on 21 September 1950. Corporal Cooper’s platoon was holding a position on Hill 409 when it was attacked by greatly superior numbers. He remained in position with his machine-gun for a period of four hours under constant artillery and mortar fire. Finally, despite an enemy banzai charge up the hill, he left the comparative safety of his foxhole an moved his weapon over an open route to an exposed position far down the hill in order to occupy a more favorable firing position. When his machine-gun was destroyed and he was wounded by enemy grenades, he continued to fight off the enemy with his pistol until his ammunition was exhausted. He then took his assistant’s rifle and, ordering his helpers to the rear, held off his foes with rifle fire until he was killed by the enemy. Corporal Cooper’s gallantry and extreme devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.