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 First Class Dave Wesley Wentzel (ASN: RA-27550994), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Platoon Sergeant with Company F, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Sergeant First Class Wentzel distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sokkogae, Korea, on the night of 21 November 1951. On that date, Sergeant Wentzel was occupying an outpost position with his men when it was suddenly subjected to a fierce attack by approximately two battalions of the enemy. Without hesitation, he left his own position and made an immediate circuit of the entire defense perimeter, passing through intense enemy artillery, mortar, automatic-weapons, and small-arms fire to instruct his men. When the first wave of the assaulting enemy neared the outpost, Sergeant Wentzel moved along the top of the defensive positions, completely exposed to the hostile fire. His calmness under fire and his shouted words of encouragement gave the friendly troops the necessary courage to repel the assault. With the first attack repulsed, Sergeant Wentzel reorganized his men in anticipation for the next hostile assault and, although he was painfully wounded, he moved to other sections of the perimeter to coordinate the defense. Despite the fact that he was seriously weakened by his wound, Sergeant Wentzel, realizing that all available firepower was needed, refused to be evacuated and insisted on maintaining his own position. When the final enemy attack was launched, Sergeant Wentzel fearlessly leaped from his emplacement and killed six of the enemy with his carbine who were attempting to blast through the friendly barbed-wire entanglements with explosives. As he made his way back to his position, a hostile grenade exploded at his feet and killed him. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Sergeant First Class Wentzel on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.