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 Robert Northcutt (ASN: RA-15445912), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Sergeant Northcutt distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sokkogae, Korea, on 8 and 9 July 1953. On that date, Sergeant Northcutt and his companions were counterattacking a strategic position on the west slope of a heavily contested hill. When his platoon leader and platoon sergeant were wounded, Sergeant Northcutt took command of the platoon and led it forward. After advancing a short distance, they suddenly came under heavy mortar and machine-gunfire from two enemy bunkers to the front. Sergeant Northcutt ordered a base of fire to be placed on each bunker and crawled forward from the right under the enemy cross-fire. Although painfully wounded by fragments of a hostile mortar round, he continued to assault the right bunker and succeeded in destroying the enemy gun crew with grenades. After shifting his supporting fire toward the second bunker, he crawled to its side entrance and destroyed its occupants with his last two grenades and pistol fire. Later, his platoon came under an intensive barrage of artillery and mortar fire and was forced to withdraw, whereupon Sergeant Northcutt organized the remaining members of his unit and set up a perimeter of defense. Finding the supply of ammunition low, he again exposed himself to the enemy and began collecting ammunition which had been discarded by wounded comrades. The next morning two companies came through the platoon to assault the enemy-held positions on the crest of the hill. As these units moved through to maneuver, a sniper fired on them, halting their advance. Sergeant Northcutt deliberately exposed himself in order to locate the source of fire, after which he charged the sniper and killed him with pistol fire, thus allowing the two companies to continue their assault. Sergeant Northcutt was wounded a second time in the immediate conflict that followed and was evacuated to the rear area against his wishes. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Sergeant Northcutt on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.