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 First Lieutenant (Armor) William Peter Trinen (ASN: 0-1996377), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 72d Medium Tank Battalion, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Trinen distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Changyong, Korea. On the night of 31 August 1950, Lieutenant Trinen was designated to command a task force, consisting of five tanks and an infantry platoon, with the mission of opening an escape route for an infantry battalion which had been completely encircled by the enemy. At first contact, the advanced enemy elements, stunned by the aggressive ferocity of the task force’s attack, retreated in panic. As Lieutenant Trinen’s unit moved further forward, the reorganized enemy, backed by seemingly unlimited reserves, launched a massed attack. During this action, the infantry platoon leader was killed and Lieutenant Trinen immediately opened the turret of his lead tank and directed the infantry attack by arm and hand signals. Despite hits on his tank by enemy anti-tank weapons and satchel charges, he continued to press forward in the attack, forcing the major elements of the enemy force to withdraw to the protection of a nearby slope. The aggressive leadership, courage and sound tactical judgment displayed by First Lieutenant Trinen resulted in the success of the mission. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Trinen on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.