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 (Infantry) Dale Willard Carlson (ASN: 0-1308923), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader of Company H, 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Carlson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Pai-ri, Korea, on 27 August 1951. Early on the morning of 27 August 1951, the machine-gun platoon commanded by Lieutenant Carlson was ordered to withdraw from positions well in advance of the friendly main line of resistance. As the platoon began to fall back, Lieutenant Carlson observed a large hostile force advancing in an effort to intercept the friendly Troops. Without regard for his personal safety, he rushed to an exposed position and opened fire on the enemy, who retaliated with a heavy volume of small-arms fire. Painfully wounded, Lieutenant Carlson realized that he would be a hindrance to his men and so he ordered them to continue their withdrawal while re remained to provide covering fire. His deadly accurate fire delayed the foe long enough for the friendly troops to reach the safety of their own lines but, in so doing, his own position was overrun and he was captured. He was shot three times and left for dead by the enemy, who were forced to retreat from the area because of heavy friendly mortar and artillery fire. Although greatly weakened by his serious wounds, Lieutenant Carlson, displaying courageous tenacity, crawled over a wide expanse of open terrain to the friendly lines where he received medical treatment fore being evacuated. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Carlson on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.