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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Howard Williamson Cardoza (ASN: 0-1177318), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Headquarters and Service Company, 70th Tank Battalion (Heavy), attached to the 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Cardoza distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Waegwan, Korea, on 16 August 1950. Lieutenant Cardoza’s tank platoon was operating in direct support of the infantry whose mission was to take a hill just outside of Waegwan. The enemy, well-entrenched on the hill, was delivering intense small-arms, mortar, and artillery fire. Lieutenant Cardoza moved his tank forward to the infantry positions in order to place fire on the enemy. Then, with total disregard for his personal safety, he crawled out of the tank onto the rear deck to direct the fire of his platoon. Firing the .50-caliber machine-gun, which was mounted on the turret, Lieutenant Cardoza in this manner pointed out the enemy targets to his gunners. During this action an enemy shell exploded next to Lieutenant Cardoza’s tank seriously wounding him in the head, legs and arm. Although his left arm was useless, he continued to fire the .50-caliber machine-gun with one arm until he collapsed from loss of blood. It was only because of the devastating tank fire directed by Lieutenant Cardoza on the enemy that the infantry was able to continue on and accomplish its mission. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Cardoza on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.