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 Howard Cleasby Hovey (ASN: 0-6152613), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Hovey distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sokkogae, Korea, on 6 July 1953. On that date, Sergeant Hovey and other members of the company were on duty in the company command post when their position was suddenly attacked by a vicious, numerically superior enemy force. With total disregard for his own life, Sergeant Hovey left the comparative safety of his bunker, moved into a nearby trench and directed a hail of fire at hostile troops, temporarily repulsing several attempts to overrun friendly positions. Aware that the dangerous proximity of the determined, reinforced enemy posed an imminent threat to the defense of the entire post, Sergeant Hovey, arming himself with a carbine and hand grenades, moved from the cover of the trench, spotted the enemy advancing within about fifty yards of the post and charged the enemy, pouring crippling fire and throwing grenades at the assailants, inflicting numerous casualties and checking their advance. Although wounded by automatic weapons during the ensuing action, he continued firing until he was again critically wounded by a napalm grenade. Feeling that the lives of other members were still endangered, he grabbed another carbine and grenades and again left the bunker area, maintaining his stand and firing his weapon and throwing grenades until he was mortally wounded by a direct hit from another enemy grenade. Through his indomitable fighting spirit and courageous actions, he enabled other members of the command post to evacuate the bunker, establish operations in another position, and eventually stem the onslaught. Master Sergeant Hovey’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.