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) Alfred Keith McIlquham (ASN: 0-1540949), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 29th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant McIlquham distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sangju, Korea, on 27 July 1950. On that date, Company B was attacked by an enemy force of overwhelming numerical superiority. Faced with the certainty of being overrun, the company was ordered to withdraw while the 1st platoon, commanded by Lieutenant McIlquham remained in position and furnished covering fire for the withdrawal. Heedless of the deadly enemy fire, Lieutenant McIlquham repeatedly moved about the exposed terrain to deploy his men and effectively direct their fire. When two men were wounded by enemy machine-gun fire, Lieutenant McIlquham single-handedly charged the machine-gun, silenced it, and then carried the two wounded men to a less exposed position. By his aggressive leadership and courageous example throughout the protracted engagement, he inspired his men to hold their positions despite the overwhelming odds against them, thereby enabling the remainder of the company to reach safety. Later, while reconnoitering an escape route for his encircled platoon, the position was overrun by the numerically superior hostile force and Lieutenant McIlquham was killed. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant McIlquham on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.