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 Joe Huss Cauthen, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Sergeant Cauthen distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Wonju, Korea, on 14 February 1951. On that date, Sergeant Cauthen was serving as a squad leader of the 1st platoon of Company E when his company was given the mission of seizing Hill 255. This objective had previously been secured by an enemy force estimated at battalion strength. As the platoon spearheaded the attack and neared the crest of the hill, they encountered intense machine-gun and small-arms fire. At one point during the attack and when within assault distance of the enemy, a member of the platoon observed an enemy machine-gun position and threw a hand grenade into it. The enemy gunner instantly grasped the grenade and was attempting to throw it back when Sergeant Cauthen stood erect, heedless of enemy fire, and killed him before he could release the grenade. Although heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, the platoon was forced to withdraw momentarily because of the intensity of enemy fire. Two additional attempts were made to assault the hill before the platoon overran the hostile positions and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat, securing the objective. Throughout the attack and during the assault, Sergeant Cauthen displayed outstanding courage and aggressive leadership, personally killing thirty of the enemy and silencing one machine gun. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Sergeant Cauthen on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.