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 Corporal Edward G. Rector (ASN: RA-16263945), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Heavy Mortar Company, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Corporal Rector distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kumchon, Korea, on 2 August 1950. When his 4.2 mortar platoon was threatened by a machine-gun supported enemy force numbering about twenty-five, Sergeant Rector attacked the force alone. To reach the enemy, he charged fifty yards uphill in the face of intense fire from the enemy machine-gun. Arriving at the enemy position, he destroyed the machine-gun crew and inflicted heavy casualties upon the other enemy soldiers in the area, forcing the survivors to withdraw. He continued his harassing attack until his ammunition was exhausted. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Corporal Rector on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.