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 Master Sergeant Ervin Leigh Muldoon (ASN: RA-12104945), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving in command of a Machine-Gun Section attached to Company H, 3d Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Master Sergeant Muldoon distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Parun-ni, Korea, on 25 March 1951. On that date, Master Sergeant Muldoon was furnishing supporting fire during an attack on enemy positions. Soon after the attack was launched it was determined that enemy opposition to Company F was very light; however, Company G, on the left flank of Company F, had encountered a strong enemy force of approximately battalion strength. Observing the action in Company G’s sector, Sergeant Muldoon realized that the company could not withstand the numerically superior enemy without immediate assistance. Making a hasty decision to aid the beleaguered company, he moved his section across open rice fields under heavy enemy fire and placed the guns in position to give supporting fire to the outnumbered friendly unit. As he was designating fields of fire for his guns, the enemy launched a fanatical “banzai” attack in an effort to overrun this sector. The attacking forces swept in from the front and both flanks but were repulsed with heavy casualties inflicted by Sergeant Muldoon’s section. Repeated attempts were made by the enemy to overrun the position and each time they were driven back with appalling losses. Sergeant Muldoon personally manned a machine- gun when the gunner was wounded and, while firing this weapon from an exposed position, was hit by a burst of enemy fire and killed. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Master Sergeant Muldoon on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.