The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private William Leroy Baumgartner, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Headquarters Battery, 90th Field Artillery Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. Private Baumgartner distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Pongam-ni, Korea, on 12 August 1950. On this date the Headquarters Battery was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force supported by artillery, mortars, tanks and automatic weapons. Despite devastating enemy fire, Private Baumgartner continued to man his .50 caliber machine-gun which became a primary target for the enemy. In addition, shells were exploding from an ammunition truck which had been hit and added to the hazards of the situation. After Private Baumgartner was thrown from his position by concussion and his machine-gun upset, he returned to his position and put the gun back into action. Another concussion threw him from his weapon a second time. After regaining consciousness, he again crawled to his post, and by accurate and effective fire destroyed an enemy assault gun and machine-gun nest, disabled another assault gun, and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. By his heroic and persistent effort he enabled his unit to withdraw in an orderly manner. The extraordinary heroism of Private Baumgartner reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.