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 (Infantry) Richard Tarlton Smock (ASN: 0-59500), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Smock distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chollyon-Dong, Korea, on 6 June 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Smock was directing his company in an effort to consolidate friendly defensive positions in an area just captured from the enemy when the hostile troops launched a fierce counterattack. Still holding its positions, the company was hard-pressed but, under the inspiring leadership of Lieutenant Smock, the men refused to give ground. As the battle raged, Lieutenant Smock observed that the friendly troops holding the left flank of Company I’s position were threatening to become disorganized under the pressure of repeated assaults by the numerically superior enemy. Realizing that an enemy breakthrough was imminent unless immediate action was taken, he rushed to that sector, shouting words of encouragement to the troops and attempting to reorganize them. Observing an enemy machine-gun emplacement that had been overlooked in the previous attack, Lieutenant Sock neutralized it with a grenade and called to the friendly troops to set up a machine-gun in the position. Because of the language barrier that existed, many of Lieutenant, Smock’s commands were being misinterpreted, so he set about to illustrate them by personal example. Standing exposed to the intense enemy fire, he killed and wounded seven of the on-rushing enemy with his carbine. Inspired by his fearlessness, the friendly troops regrouped and successfully defended their positions. Lieutenant Smock continued to direct and encourage them until he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Smock on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.