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 Sergeant Elmer Otto Mathias Goetz, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Battery C, 49th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. Sergeant Goetz distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Hwachon, Korea, on 29 May 1951. On that date, Sergeant Goetz was a member of an artillery forward observer party that was directing supporting fire for Company L, 17th Infantry Regiment. In the early morning hours, the company’s positions were attacked by vast numbers of the enemy, and the friendly troops were forced to execute a limited withdrawal. During this assault, Sergeant Goetz remained with members of the forward observer party, providing protection for them as they directed artillery fire on the advancing hostile troops. Although his position exposed him to the fire of two enemy machine-guns and enemy troops who were approaching from both flanks, Sergeant Goetz continued to fire his carbine at the hostile force, killing three of the enemy at close range. Upon being ordered to withdraw, he observed that the radio operator of the party had been wounded and was lying in an exposed area. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Goetz ran across the fire-swept terrain and carried his wounded comrade approximately 1,500 yards to safety, despite the heavy volume of enemy fire concentrated on him. After evacuating his comrade, he returned to his position and voluntarily participated in the counterattack that regained the lost ground from the hostile force. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Sergeant Goetz on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.