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 Private First Class Howard Lewis Dreyer (ASN: RA-17267501), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as an automatic rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Private First Class Dreyer distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Soho-ri, Korea, on 1 June 1951. On that date, Company B was occupying defensive positions on Hill 425 when, at approximately 0300 hours, an estimated company of Chinese Communist troops attacked the left flank of the friendly unit in a frenzied attempt to overrun the position. During this attack the gunner manning a light machine-gun was killed instantly, leaving Private Dreyer with the only automatic weapon in operation. Realizing the immediate need for automatic fire, Private Dreyer exposed himself to the enemy and delivered a devastating volume of fire into the hostile ranks, temporarily halting their attack and giving his comrades time to put the light machine-gun in operation. When the order was given for the company to withdraw, Private Dreyer volunteered to remain behind and provide covering fire for his comrades. Again exposing himself to the enemy, he raked them with fire from his automatic weapon until all personnel and equipment were moved to an alternate position. Then, on receiving the order to withdraw, he walked backwards and continued to fire at the enemy until he rejoined his comrades. At 0730 hours, Private Dreyer and three comrades volunteered to counterattack the enemy positions in an attempt to regain the terrain. As he neared the hostile positions, Private Dreyer began throwing white phosphorous grenades, which provided a covering smoke screen, then moved into close contact with the enemy and fired his automatic rifle directly into their positions. He killed approximately twenty enemy soldiers and assisted in routing the remainder from their positions. As Private Dreyer reached the top of the hill, he inspired his comrades to greater effort by standing upright and calling for them to advance. During the final phase of the counterattack he was killed. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Private First Class Dreyer on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.