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) Alvin Wayne Kehl, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Platoon Leader in Company L, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Kehl distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Surang-ni, Korea, on 13 June 1953. Early the morning on that date, Lieutenant Kehl was a member of a United Nations element which was ordered to reinforce a vital outpost under assault by a hostile force. Lieutenant Kehl, leader of the assault platoon, organized his men and led them up the fire-swept slope to the summit of the hill. There he regrouped the unit and led an advance on well-fortified hostile forward positions. As the group neared the outpost, it was pinned down by a heavy enemy grenade barrage which threatened to inflict heavy casualties and stall the advance. Unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Kehl moved forward, located the enemy force, and single-handedly destroyed them. Reaching the forward slope, Lieutenant Kehl directed his men in clearing the enemy from the Allied trenches and bunkers which had been overrun. He then secured an automatic rifle and charged down the forward slope to disrupt and demoralize an enemy element which was preparing to counterattack. Returning to his men, Lieutenant Kehl deployed them in the most effective defensive positions and then turned his efforts toward the evacuation of the wounded. The courage, indomitable fortitude, and inspiring leadership displayed by First Lieutenant Kehl reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.